s of the building and wait for her.

The church was open, and a peep through the swing-doors showed her a
small group standing before the altar. With her hand on her side she
hobbled up the stone steps to the gallery, and, helping herself along
by the sides of the pews, entered the end one of them all and sank
exhausted on the cushions.

The service had just commenced, and the voice of the minister sounded
with unusual loudness in the empty church. Mr. Truefitt and Miss Willett
stood before him like culprits, Mr. Truefitt glancing round uneasily
several times as the service proceeded. Twice the old lavender-coloured
bonnet that was projecting over the side of the gallery drew back in
alarm, and twice its owner held her breath and rated herself sternly
for her venturesomeness. She did not look over again until she heard a
little clatter of steps proceeding to the vestry, and then, with a hasty
glance round, slipped out of the pew and made her way downstairs and out
of the church.

Her strength was nearly spent, but the cabman was on the watch, and,
driving up to the entrance, climbed down and bundled her into the cab.
The drive was all too short for her to compose herself as she would have
liked, and she met the accusatory glance of Martha with but little of
her old spirit.

"I went a little too far," she said, feebly, as the servant helped her
to the door.

"What did I tell you?" demanded the other, and placing her in her
chair removed her bonnet and cape, and stood regarding her with sour
disapproval.

"I'm getting better," said the old lady, stoutly.

"I'm getting my breath back again. I--I think I'll have a glass of
wine."

"Yes, 'm," said Martha, moving off. "The red-currant?"

"Red-currant!" said Mrs. Willett, sharply. "Red-currant! Certainly not.
The port."

Martha disappeared, marvelling, to return a minute or two later with
the wine and a glass on a tray. Mrs. Willett filled her glass and,
whispering a toast to herself, half emptied it.

"Martha!" she said, looking round with a smile.

"Ma'am!"

"If you like to go and get a glass you can have a little drop yourself."

[Illustration: You can have a little drop yourself 268]

She turned and took up her glass again, and, starting nervously, nearly
let it fall as a loud crash sounded outside. The bewildered Martha had
fallen downstairs.

CHAPTER XXII

JOAN HARTLEY did not realize the full consequences of her departure
from the truth unt