She did not, as usual, go to the afternoon meeting, for she had no heart to do so.

And then, as the shades of evening fell dimly around, she reproached herself for this omission.

Poor soul! how sadly did she vex her spirit by self-condemnation.
That evening several of the society called in at the minister's house, and soon Aunt Mary's singular conduct became the subject of conversation.
"Ain't it strange ?" said one.

"Such a thing has not occurred for these ten years, to my certain knowledge." "No, nor for twenty either," remarked the minister.
"She seemed very uneasy during the sermon," said another.
"I thought she did not appear well, as my eye fell upon her occasionally," the minister added.

"But she is one of the best of women, and I suppose she is undergoing some sore temptation, out of which she will come as gold tried in the fire." "I don't know," broke in Mrs.Tompkins, who was among the visitors, "that she is so much better than other people.