However, as soon as the boy's sobs reached her ear she wakened up, and
said, tenderly, "What is the child crying for? Run and get a basin of
water, and fling it all over her; that will bring her to in a minute."

The page departed swiftly on this benevolent errand.

Then the lady gave a deep sigh, and ceased to struggle.

Next she stared in all their faces, and seemed to return to
consciousness.

Next she spoke, but very feebly. "Help me up," she sighed.

Sir Charles and Polly raised her, and now there was a marvelous change.
The vigorous vixen was utterly weak, and limp as a wet towel--a woman
of jelly. As such they handled her, and deposited her gingerly on the
sofa.

Now the page ran in hastily with the water. Up jumps the poor lax
sufferer, with flashing eyes: "You dare come near me with it!" Then to
the female servants: "Call yourselves women, and water my lilac silk,
not two hours old?" Then to the housekeeper: "You old monster, you
wanted it for your Polly. Get out of my sight, _the lot!"_

Then, suddenly remembering how feeble she was, she sank instantly down,
and turned piteously and languidly to Sir Charles. "They eat my bread,
and rob me, and hate me," said she, faintly. "I have but one friend on
earth." She leaned tenderly toward Sir Charles as that friend; but
before she quite reached him she started back, her eyes filled with
sudden horror. "And he forsakes me!" she cried; and so turned away from