ed, it was likely to prove a shock to the whole community, for she
had great claims to general admiration, and her death must be regarded
as a calamity to persons in all stations of life.

I realised this myself, for I had heard much of the young lady's private
virtues, as well as of her great beauty and distinguished manner. A
heavy loss, indeed, but--

"Was she alone when she fell?" I asked.

"Virtually alone. Some persons sat on the other side of the room,
reading at the big round table. They did not even hear her fall. They
say that the band was playing unusually loud in the musicians' gallery."

"Are you feeling quite well, now?"

"Quite myself," I gratefully replied as I rose slowly from the sofa.
Then, as my kind informer stepped aside, I turned to George with the
proposal we should go now.

He seemed as anxious as myself to leave and together we moved towards
the door, while the hum of excited comment which the intrusion of a
fainting woman had undoubtedly interrupted, recommenced behind us till
the whole room buzzed.

In the hall we encountered Mr. Slater, whom I have before mentioned.
He was trying to maintain order while himself in a state of great
agitation. Seeing us, he could not refrain from whispering a few words
into my husband's ear.

"The doctor has just gone up--her doctor, I mean. He's simply
dumbfounded. Says that she was the healthiest woman in New York
yesterday--I think--don't mention it, that he suspects something quite
different from heart failure."

"What do you mean?" asked George, following the assistant manager down
the broad flight of steps leading to the office. Then, as I pressed up
close to Mr. Slater's other side, "She was by herself, wasn't she, in
the half floor above?"

"Yes, and had been writing a letter. She fell with it still in her
hand."

"Have they carried her to her room?" I eagerly inquired, glancing
fearfully up at the large semi-circular openings overlooking us from the
place where she had fallen.

"Not yet. Mr. Hammond insists upon waiting for the coroner." (Mr.
Hammond was the proprietor of the hotel.) "She is lying on one of the
big couches near which she fell. If you like, I can give you a glimpse
of her. She looks beautiful. It's terrible to think that she is dead."

I don't know why we consented. We were under a spell, I think. At all
events, we accepted his offer and followed him up a narrow staircase
open to very few that night. At the top, he tur