“Well, our curiosity will soon be satisfied in that respect,” said Nora, “for here we are at the hospital.”

“We should like to see the woman who was thrown from the automobile yesterday afternoon,” said Grace to the matron.  “Is she able to receive visitors?”

“Oh, yes,” replied the matron.  “She is sitting in a wheeled chair on the second-story veranda.  Miss Elton,” she called to a nurse who had just entered, “take these young women up to the veranda, they wish to see the patient who has 47.”

“What is her—­” began Grace.  But at that moment a nurse hurried in with a communication for the matron.  Grace waited a moment, bent on repeating her question, but the nurse said rather impatiently, “This way, please,” and the opportunity was lost.

The three girls began to feel a trifle diffident as they approached the stranger who was seated in a wheeled chair in a corner of the veranda.

“Visitors to see you, madam,” said the nurse curtly, halting before the patient.  “Be careful not to over-exert yourself,” and was gone.

The woman in the chair turned quickly at the nurse’s words, her eyes resting upon the three girls.

Grace felt a queer little shiver creep up and down her spine.  The resemblance between the stranger and Mabel Allison was even more remarkable to-day.

“How do you do, my dears,” said the woman with a sweet smile, extending her hand in turn to the three girls.  “Under the circumstances I am sure you will pardon me for not rising.”

Her voice was clear and well modulated.

“Please don’t think of it,” cried Grace.  “We saw the accident yesterday.  We were afraid you were seriously injured, and we couldn’t resist coming to see you.  I am Grace Harlowe, and these are my friends Nora O’Malley and Anne Pierson.”

“I am very pleased to know you,” responded the stranger.  “It is so sweet to know that you thought of me.”

“Miss Harlowe was the first to reach you, after your accident,” said Anne, knowing that Grace herself would avoid mentioning it.  “She held your head in her lap until the doctor came.”

“Then I am deeply indebted to you,” returned the patient, again taking Grace’s hand in hers, “and I hope to know you better.  I dearly love young girls.”

She motioned them to a broad settee near her chair.

“There!” she exclaimed.  “Now I can look at all of you at the same time.  I am far more able to appreciate you to-day than I was at this time yesterday.  It was all so dreadful,” she shuddered slightly, then continued.

“I have never before been in an accident.  I had been spending a week with some friends of mine who have a place a few miles from here called ‘Hawk’s Nest.’  Perhaps you know of it?”

The three girls exchanged glances.  “Hawk’s Nest” was one of the finest estates in that part of the state, and the Gibsons who owned it had unlimited wealth.