nod.  My heart beat thickly as I saw him approaching nearer to her, and a moment after they were side by side.  She partly turned her face toward him, an expression of contrition and appeal, making her beauty well-nigh irresistible.  I gazed, fascinated; then after awhile I turned my eyes to Mr. Winthrop.  I felt a sudden relief when I saw the same unconcerned expression that was habitual to him.  Mrs. Le Grande looked him, for an instant, full in the face, when a swift change came over her own countenance.  For the first time, probably, she realized that her power and fascination had lost their effect on him.  A crimson flush of shame and anger swept over cheek and brow, as quickly followed by a deathly pallor.  Mr. Winthrop, without noticing her presence, walked leisurely on.  She stood perfectly still, leaning her hand, as if for support, against the back of a pew.  I hastened to her side, pitying her deeply in her disappointment.  She gave me a dazed look, scarce seeming to recognize me; I paused an instant and held out my hand, but she did not seem to notice it.  She looked so wan and wretched I felt I must try to comfort her, though at the risk of Mr. Winthrop’s displeasure.

“You are not looking well,” I said compassionately.  “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“You would not dare, even if you were willing, with that merciless man so near,” she said, faintly.  I paid no attention to her remark, but asked if I might get her a glass of water.

“Yes, anything, please, to take away this deathly feeling.”  I drew her into a pew and forced her to lie down, crushing thereby a most elegant toilet.  But I was afraid she was dying, she looked so pale; then, rushing to the vestry, I found the sexton.  He looked somewhat startled at sight of me.

“Can you give me some water?—­there is a lady upstairs very ill.”

“That one that’s such a stunner?” he said, coolly, going to a shelf near where he had water and glasses.

“I presume 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.”