This last sentence was said aloud; and Lizzie, who was standing near,
replied, "Her father was once wealthy and Ada had the best of
teachers. Since she has lived in S---- she has occasionally practised
on Anna's piano."

"I think I'd keep a piano for paupers to play on," was Lucy's
contemptuous reply, uttered with no small degree of bitterness, for at
that moment St. Leon approached her with the object of her dislike
leaning upon his arm.

Ada introduced Lizzie to St. Leon, who offered her his other arm, and
the three kept together until Lizzie, uttering a low, sharp cry of
pain leaned heavily as if for support against St. Leon. In an instant
Lucy was at her side; but to all her anxious inquiries Lizzie could
only reply, as she clasped her thin, white hand over her side, "The
pain--the pain--take me home."

"Our sleigh has not yet come," said Lucy. "Oh, what shall we do?"

"Mine is here, and at your command, Miss Dayton," said St. Leon.

Lucy thanked him, and then proceeded to prepare Lizzie, who, chilled
through and through by the exposure of her chest and arms, had borne
the racking pain in her side as long as possible, and now lay upon the
sofa as helpless as an infant. When all was ready St. Leon lifted her
in his arms, and bearing her to the sleigh, stepped lightly in with
her, and took his seat.

"It is hardly necessary for you to accompany us home," said Lucy,
overjoyed beyond measure, though, to find that he was going.

"Allow me to be the judge," answered St. Leon, and other than that,
not a word was spoken until they reached Mr. Dayton's door. Then,
carefully carrying Lizzie into the house, he was about to leave, when
Lucy detained him to thank him for his kindness, adding that she hoped
to see him again.

"Certainly, I shall call to-morrow," was his reply, as he sprang down
the steps, and entering his sleigh, was driven back to Mr. Graham's.

He found the company about dispersing, and meeting Ada in the hall,
asked to accompany her home. Ada's pride for a moment hesitated, and
then she answered in the affirmative. When St. Leon had seated her in
his sleigh he turned back, on pretext of looking for something, but in
reality to ask Anna Graham where Ada lived, as he did not wish to
question her on the subject.

When they were nearly home St. Leon said, "Miss Harcourt, have you
always lived in S----?"

"We have lived here but two years," answered Ada; and St. Leon
continued:

"I cannot rid myse