gallery."

"Are you feeling quite well, now?"

"Quite myself," I gratefully replied as I rose slowly from the
sofa. Then, as my kind informer stepped aside, I turned to George
with the proposal we should go now.

He seemed as anxious as myself to leave and together we moved towards
the door, while the hum of excited comment which the intrusion of a
fainting woman had undoubtedly interrupted, recommenced behind us
till the whole room buzzed.

In the hall we encountered Mr. Slater, whom I have before mentioned.
He was trying to maintain order while himself in a state of great
agitation. Seeing us, he could not refrain from whispering a few
words into my husband's ear.

"The doctor has just gone up--her doctor, I mean. He's simply
dumbfounded. Says that she was the healthiest woman in New York
yesterday--I think--don't mention it, that he suspects something
quite different from heart failure."

"What do you mean?" asked George, following the assistant manager
down the broad flight of steps leading to the office. Then, as I
pressed up close to Mr. Slater's other side, "She was by herself,
wasn't she, in the half floor above?"

"Yes, and had been writing a letter. She fell with it still in her
hand."