It was the work of but two or three minutes to crush out the last smoldering spark among the ruined lilies, for the flames had been effectually smothered by Katherine’s presence of mind in wrapping the portiere about them and by her vigorous beating.

Then the physician turned again to her and gently removed the shawl from her burned and disfigured skirts.

“It is all out, thank God!” he said, after carefully looking her over.  “It was a narrow escape for you and Dorrie, as well as from a serious conflagration.  Now tell me, Miss Minturn, are you burned?” he concluded, searching her white face with troubled eyes.

She tried to smile as she glanced down at her ruined dress.

“A few dollars will make it all right, and that doesn’t matter,” she returned evasively, but with lips that quivered in spite of her effort at self-control.

“You were badly frightened, poor child! but it is over,” he gently observed, the tense lines of his face softening in a reassuring smile.

Then, seeing that she was keeping her right hand out of sight, he reached down and drew it forward into the light.

“Miss Minturn!” he exclaimed, as he saw the reddened flesh and three great blisters, “you did it beating out the fire to save Dorothy.  Come with me and I will dress it immediately.”

“No,” she said, setting her teeth resolutely; “go to her; I shall do very well.  Go!” she repeated, almost sharply, “for I saw that she had fainted when Alice took her.”

His brow contracted, and for an instant he seemed on the point of insisting upon taking care of her first.

Then he drew forth his handkerchief and folded it gently about her hand, saying: 

“Well, if I must; but go you directly to your room and I will come to you as soon as I can.”

Katherine could bear no more, and, turning abruptly from him, sped from the place.

As she passed out of the lecture hall, she almost ran into Miss Reynolds, who was on her way downstairs.

“Katherine!” she cried, aghast, as she caught sight of her pain-contracted face, the handkerchief on her hand and her smoke-blackened clothes, “what has happened?”

“Oh! may I go to your room?” gasped the girl.

“Of course; come,” and without another word the woman turned and led the way.

“Lock the door and don’t let anyone in,” said Katherine, as she sank into the nearest chair and covered her face with her well hand.

Miss Reynolds quietly obeyed, then went to her desk and began to read aloud, in a calm, clear voice, from the open “Science and Health” that lay upon it.

For half an hour she kept on without stopping; but she then began to be conscious that effectual work was being done, for, at first, the sufferer sitting behind her had been unable to keep still a moment; but gradually she became less restless, and at the end of forty-five minutes had grown perfectly quiet and lay back in her chair, her face pale but peaceful.