Old Ugly-Face by Talbot Mundy

Elsa began to feel terrified. The fear was inside her, subjective, not due to physical surroundings. It was a wordless sensation, unexplainable, comfortless. It brought up memories of punishment at school--a helpless dread. But she acted brave, like a novice in no-man's land. She and Nancy followed the old turbaned chauffeur along dim, draughty corridors.

She didn't for one second doubt her intuition that Nancy was leading her to an experience that would mean farewell--perhaps to Nancy. Farewell, and a new unknown beginning. It was a sensation of lonely dread. But curiosity was stronger than dread--much stronger. She knew that Nancy was also hard-pressed to subdue emotion.