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But I've come down, Mr. Wharne, like the coon. I'll tell you presently," she went on, and she spoke now with warmth, "who is the real belle, the beautiful one of this place! There she comes!" Miss Craydocke, in her nice, plain cambric morning-gown, and her smooth front, was approaching down the side passage across the wing.

And just then, Sin Saxon's bright face and pretty figure showing themselves on the hotel piazza, with a seeking look and gesture, Jeannie and Elinor were drawn off also to ask about the tableaux, and see if they were wanted, with the like promise that "they would come presently." So Miss Craydocke and Leslie walked slowly round, under the sun-umbrella, to the head of the ledge, by themselves.

This woman had no self to be hurt. "We stopped at the Cliff this morning," Leslie took heart to say; "and they were so glad of your parcel, the little girl and her aunt. And Prissy gave me something to bring back to you; a splendid specimen of beryl that she has found." "Then my mind's at rest!" said Miss Craydocke, cheerier than ever.

The people of the house understood pretty well what was going on, and who was at the bottom of it all; but Madam Routh's party was large, and the life of the place; they would wink hard and long before complaining at anything that might be done in the west wing. Sin Saxon opened her door upon Miss Craydocke when she was dressed for the German, and about to go downstairs.

And so they were away. Miss Craydocke turned back into the house, not a whit discomfited, and with not so much as a contrasting sigh in her bosom or a rankle in her heart. On the contrary, a droll twinkle played among the crow's-feet at the corners of her eyes. They could not hurt her, these merry girls, meaning nothing but the moment's fun, nor cheat her of her quiet share of the fun either.

It was not easy for them to bring forth their breadths and their linings, and their braids that were to be pieced, and their trimmings that were to be turned, and to lay bare to other eyes all their little economies of contrivance; but Miss Craydocke managed it by simple straightforwardness, by not behaving as if there were anything to be glossed over or ignored.

She didn't like these rumors of the howl, the last thing she thought of being her own rest and comfort, which were to be purposely invaded. "I've let the chance go by," said Sin Saxon desperately. "It's of no use now." And she rocked herself back and forth in the Shaker chair of which she had taken possession. "My dear," said Miss Craydocke, "if you would only explain to me, perhaps"

Next morning, at breakfast, Sin Saxon was as beautifully ruffled, ratted, and crimped, as gay, as bewitching, and defiant as ever, seated next Madam Routh, assiduously devoted to her in the little attentions of the meal, in high spirits and favor; even saucily alluding, across the table, to "our howl, Miss Craydocke!" Public opinion was carried by storm; the benison of sleep had laid wrath.

She sat there alone, working out a thought; and at last she spoke as I have said: "If I could only remember the chemicals!" "My dear! What do you mean? The chemicals? For the coffee?" It was Miss Craydocke who questioned, coming up with Mr. Wharne. "Not the coffee, no," said Sin Saxon, laughing rather absently, as too intent to be purely amused. "But the assaying.

Sin Saxon was not a pupil now, and there was no condign punishment actually to fear; but her heart stood still a second, for all that, and she realized that she had been on the verge of an "awful scrape." It was bad enough now, as Madam Routh stood there gravely silent. She could not approve. She was amazed to see Miss Craydocke present, countenancing and matronizing.