e it is the same," I said, seizing the glass, while wondering at
his indifference.

"You'd best not get too frightened, Miss Selwyn. I've heard of that one
afore, and she knows what she's about."

I hastened back to my charge, leaving him to follow at his leisure. I
found her on the floor, apparently unconscious. Forgetful of the dainty
Paris bonnet, I began applying the water vigorously, when she opened her
eyes, and said:

"That will do."

I dried her face, whisking away a few bountiful drops that were clinging
to her garments. She arose directly. Several persons who had been late
in leaving the church had collected around us. She glanced at them, a
look of keen disappointment passing over her face. With an amazing return
of vitality, she passed quickly out of the pew, saying, lightly:

"Your church was uncomfortably hot, and the air was very impure; it seems
a necessity to absorb one's religion and a vitiated atmosphere at the
same time."

She turned to me presently, saying:

"You get very easily alarmed, Miss Selwyn. Are you always so impetuous in
your deeds of mercy?"

"Oh, no, indeed. I never had such cause for alarm but once before, and
that was a poor widow who was utterly overcome by some good news I was
bringing her. My friends usually have sufficient nerve to endure heavy
shocks," I said, very sweetly.

Her eyes flashed, but she allowed no further sign of annoyance to escape
her. When we reached the door, she turned to me and said, very cordially:

"I shall look for you to-morrow, according to promise. Forgive me for
having kept you so long from your escort. I fear a scolding awaits you.
Mr. Winthrop I used to find very impatient, if kept waiting."

I left her standing on the church steps, and turned my face homeward.
When I reached the street I found Mr. Winthrop had got some distance
ahead; but he was walking slowly, and I soon overtook him.

"Is it your custom to remain chatting with your friends after the
sermon?" he asked, carelessly.

"Oh, no; but a lady who sat near us fainted just as I was standing by
her."

"And, of course, as a sort of mother-general of the sorrowing, you
stopped to comfort her?"

"Yes; but a few drops of water sufficed. She knew all the time I was in
danger of spoiling her bonnet."

"I am glad she snubbed you. You are too innocent to be matched against so
perfect an actress."

Then he changed the conversation, and Mrs. Le Grande was not mentioned
again that d