nd you came from Canada?"

"Oh, no. A long way from there. My home is in North Carolina."

"Oh, indeed! How very interesting! That must have been when he was so
ill." Then, noticing Cassandra's extreme pallor, she begged her most
kindly to come out on the terrace and have tea; but she would not. She
felt her fortitude giving way, and knew she must hasten. "But you must,
you know. The heat and your long ride have made you faint."

"I--I'm afraid so. It--won't--last."

"Wait, then. You must take a little wine; you need it." Roused to
sympathy, Lady Thryng left her a moment and returned immediately with a
glass of wine, which she held to her lips with her own hand. "There, you
will soon be better. Here is a fan. It really is very warm. Indeed, you
must have tea before you go."

She took her passive hand and led her out on the terrace unresisting,
and again Cassandra was minded to throw her arms about the lovely
woman's neck, who was so sweet and kind, and sob on her bosom and tell
her all--but David had his own reasons, and she would not.

"Do you stay long in England?"

"I am going to-morrow. Oh!" she exclaimed, as they stepped out, and she
saw the number of elaborately dressed guests moving about and gayly
chatting and laughing. "I can't go out there. I am a strangah." It was a
low melancholy wail as she said it, and long afterward Lady Thryng
remembered that moaning cry, "I am a strangah."

"No, no. You are an American and a very beautiful one. Come, they will
be glad to meet you. Give me your name again."

"Thank you--but I must--must go back." Suddenly, with a cry, "My baby,
he is mine," she swept forward with long, swinging steps toward a group
who were bending over a rosy-cheeked girl, who was seated on the steps
of the terrace with a child in her arms. She was comforting him and
cuddling and petting him, and those around her were exclaiming as young
girls will: "Isn't he a dear!"--"Oh, let me hold him a moment!"--"There,
he is going to cry again. No wonder, poor little chap!"--"Oh, look at
his curls--so cunning--give him to me."

Seeing his mother, he put up his arms to her and smiled, while two
tears rolled down his round baby cheeks.

"I found him in the pony carriage with Hetty Giles, and he was crying
so--and such a darling! I just took him away--the love!" cried Laura.
"Why, we saw you yesterday at the Victoria. I could not pass him by, you
remember?"

The baby, one beaming smile, nestled his fac