k on her,
and be proud of the ruin you have wrought!"

"Silence, woman!" Mr. Green ordered, imperiously. "We will have none
of your mad recriminations here. She is not dead, Sir Jasper, but she
is dying, I think. This young woman wishes to remove her--whither, I
know not--but it is simply impossible. That unfortunate creature will
not be alive when to-morrow dawns."

"What do you propose doing with her?" the baronet asked, steadily.

"We will convey her to the sexton's house--it is very near. I have
sent Dawson for a stretcher; he and Humphreys will carry her. This
young woman declines to give her name, or tell who she is, or where she
lives."

"Where I live is no affair of yours, if I can not take my mother
there," the young woman answered, sullenly. "Who I am, you know. I
told you I am this woman's daughter."

"And a gypsy, I take it?" said Mr. Green.

"You guess well, sir, but only half the truth. Half gypsy I am, and
half gentlewoman. A mongrel, I suppose, that makes; and yet it is well
to have good blood in one's veins, even on the father's side."

There was a sneering emphasis in her words, and the snaky black eyes
gleamed like daggers on the baronet.

But that proud face was set and rigid as stone now. He returned her
look with a haughty stare.

"It is a pity the whipping-post has been abolished," he said, harshly.
"Your impertinence makes you a fit subject for it, mistress! Take care
we don't commit you to prison as a public vagrant, and teach that
tongue of yours a little civility when addressing your betters."

"My betters!" the girl hissed, in a fierce, sibilant whisper. "Why,
yes, I suppose a daughter should look upon a father in that light. As
to the whipping-post and prison, try it at your peril! Try it, if you
dare, Sir Jasper."

Before he could speak the door opened, and Dawson entered with the
stretcher.

"Lay her upon it and remove her at once," the rector said. "Here,
Humphreys, this side. Gently, my men--gently. Be very careful on the
way."

The two men placed the seemingly lifeless form of Zenith on the
stretcher and bore her carefully away.

The daughter Zara followed.

"She will not live until to-morrow morning," the rector said; "and it
is better so, poor soul! She is evidently hopelessly insane."

"And the daughter appears but little better. By the way, Mr. Green,
Lady Kingsland desires me to fetch you back to dinner."

The rector bowed.

"Her ladyshi