her, and that her desire was gratified.  He took no notice, however, of my abrupt movement, and without change of expression or voice, said:  “There seems a good many strangers on their way to church this morning.  Some unusual circumstance must have occurred to bring out so many curious worshippers.”  I could not help smiling at the veiled irony in voice and words.  Fortunately we were considerably nearer the church than Mrs. Le Grande, and without quickening our steps gained its shelter before she overtook us, although I saw she moved more quickly after she saw us.  St. Mark’s was an ancient church, built in old colonial days.  One could easily fancy themselves in a country church in some quiet English village, as their eyes fell on the high-backed pews, narrow, stained glass-windows, and walls covered with memorial tablets, and the other peculiarities of a church over a century old.  The Winthrop pew was near the pulpit.  A large square one, and commanding an excellent view of the congregation.  When Mrs. Le Grande entered, she paused for a moment, apparently taking a rapid survey of the church; when her eye fell on our pew.  Without paying any attention to the usher, she glided to the nearest vacant seat to ours.  Directly, I was conscious that very many eyes were upon us.  Opening my Bible, I read mechanically the words before me; but no more conscious of their meaning than if they had been Sanscrit.  When the service began, in the withdrawal of attention to other things, I took courage to look at Mr. Winthrop.  He sat facing Mrs. Le Grande, but with face as unruffled as if he were reading his morning paper.  I glanced next at Mrs. Le Grande.  She sat with downcast eyes, her color varying fitfully.  She might have been taken for some beautiful picture of penitence.  I do not know if Mr. Winthrop vouchsafed her a single look, but from her expression I judged that she thought he was watching her closely.  It was a relief when the service was ended, although my conscience painfully reminded me that I would have another master opportunity for listening to the preached gospel to repent of, or else to confront some day; for I had been so nervous I had not listened intelligently to a single sentence of the sermon.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Mrs. Le Grande’s stratagem.

The congregation slowly dispersed, Mr. Winthrop pausing, as was his wont, for the crowd to move out.  Although one of the busiest men I ever met, he never seemed in a hurry.  Besides, he had an extreme dislike to be jostled by a hurrying crowd.  When he saw the aisles getting empty he left the pew.  Mrs. La Grande apparently, like ourselves, liked plenty of elbow-room; for she only left her pew a few steps in advance of us.  Mr. Winthrop walked leisurely towards the door.  I dropped behind, not wishing to bow to her in his presence, and not capable either of the rudeness of passing her without a friendly