nearly noon before
The original suggestion came from Hope , but it never cost Emilia anything to keep a secret , and she had presented the gift very sweetly , as if it were a thought of her own . Aunt Jane , who with all her penetration as to facts was often very guileless as to motives , was thoroughly touched by the humility and the embroidery . `` All last night , '' she said , `` I kept waking up , and thinking about Christian charity and my pillow-cases . '' It was , therefore , a very favorable day for Hope 's consultation , though it was nearly noon before her aunt was visible , perhaps because it took so long to make up her bed with the new adornments . Hope said frankly to Aunt Jane that there were some circumstances about which she should rather not be questioned , but that Emilia had come there the previous night from the ball , had been seized with one of her peculiar attacks , and had stayed all night . Aunt Jane kept her eyes steadily fixed on Hope 's sad face , and , when the tale was ended , drew her down and kissed her lips . `` Now tell me , dear , '' she said ; `` what comes first ? ''