Clara comprehended the scene at a glance, went up to the sofa, took
the French maid by the shoulders, and wheeled her away so swiftly that
the bottles jingled; then she fell upon her knees by the sofa, and flung
one arm over Caroline.

"Don't mind them; don't let them bother you. Just tell me what has come
over you, and I'll set it right, or know the reason why."

The voice, so sweet, so round and cheering, aroused Caroline.

She rose up on her elbow, and seeing the bright, honest face which had
bent toward her so kindly from the box, reached out her arms, and wound
them over Clara's neck.

"That's right; that's sisterly. I wish you were my sister; but what's
the use of wishing? There! kiss me again, for I mean to be a mother to
you--I do, indeed! Now tell me, what was it that struck you down so? It
was frightful; it took away my breath. Tell me all about it. My maid
here and yours were sisters, and I shouldn't wonder if we knew each
other in America. But that is so long ago, it wouldn't signify, but for
the maids, who love us so, that it makes a sort of tie. Don't you think
so?"

"Oh, if it could! if it could! I have no relative but one, and she will
not pity me!" cried Caroline, clinging to Lady Clara. "She will make me
go back to that hateful part! It was bad enough before, but now I should
die of shame!"

"Why? Why now more than at first?" inquired Clara.

"I will tell you. I know who you are, and how good every one thinks you.
I hate the stage!"

"How strange! I cannot understand it. You don't know how I envied you
when all those people started up, waving their handkerchiefs and
shouting--to see them so sorry and disappointed when you did not come
back. I could hardly keep myself from leaping over the box, and asking
the crowd to let me try!"

Caroline looked into that animated face with wonder. The tears stood
still on her cheeks, a faint smile crept into her eyes. Then she shook
her head.

"Ah! I understand. There was a time when I thought like you, but that
was before--before--"

"Before what? Margaret and the rest of you, just go outside. The room
isn't large enough for so many. There, we are alone now. Just tell me
all about it. You can trust me."

"I know it. Well, Lady Clara--you see I know your name--"

"Exactly. But just call me Clara--nothing more. I really don't care for
being a lady--at any rate, not much. That one thing is going to give me
any amount of trouble yet, you'll see. Well,