“Come, then, poor darling.  I’ll make a nice seat for you out of these skins.”

And Mrs. Willoughby began to fold some of them up and lay them one upon the other.

“What is that for, Kitty dear?” asked Minnie.

“To make you a nice, soft seat, dearest.”

“But I don’t want them, and I won’t sit on the horrid things,” said Minnie.

“But, darling, they are as soft as a cushion.  See!” And her sister pressed her hand on them, so as to show how soft they were.

“I don’t think they’re soft at all,” said Minnie; “and I wish you wouldn’t tease me so, when I’m so tired.”

“Then come, darling; I will sit on them, and you shall sit on my knees.”

“But I don’t want to go near those horrid furry things.  They belong to cows and things.  I think every body’s unkind to me to-day.”

“Minnie, dearest, you really wound me when you talk in that way.  Be reasonable now.  See what pains I take.  I do all I can for you.”

“But I’m always reasonable, and it’s you that are unreasonable, when you want me to sit on that horrid fur.  It’s very, very disagreeable in you, Kitty dear.”

Mrs. Willoughby said nothing, but went on folding some more skins.  These she placed on the straw so that a pile was formed about as high as an ordinary chair.  This pile was placed against the wall so that the wall served as a support.

Then she seated herself upon this.

“Minnie, dearest,” said she.

“Well, Kitty darling.”

“It’s really quite soft and comfortable.  Do come and sit on it; do, just to please me, only for five minutes.  See!  I’ll spread my dress over it so that you need not touch it.  Come, dearest, only for five minutes.”

“Well, I’ll sit on it just for a little mite of a time, if you promise not to tease me.”

“Tease you, dear!  Why, of course not.  Come.”

So Minnie went over and sat by her sister’s side.

In about an hour Girasole came back.  The two sisters were seated there.  Minnie’s head was resting on her sister’s shoulder, and she was fast asleep, while Mrs. Willoughby sat motionless, with her face turned toward him, and such an expression in her dark eyes that Girasole felt awed.  He turned in silence and went away.

CHAPTER XXV.

SEEKING FOR HELP.

The departure of the drivers with their horses had increased the difficulties of the party, and had added to their danger.  Of that party Ethel was now the head, and her efforts were directed more zealously than ever to bring back Lady Dalrymple to her senses.  At last these efforts were crowned with success, and, after being senseless for nearly an hour, she came to herself.  The restoration of her senses, however, brought with it the discovery of all that had occurred, and thus caused a new rush of emotion, which threatened painful consequences.  But the consequences were averted, and at length she was able to rise.  She was then helped into her carriage, after which the question arose as to their next proceeding.