CHAPTER VI.
IT was an hour from the time Mr.Hendrickson left the house of Mrs.
Denison before he found himself in one of Mrs.Loring's parlors.

He had been home, where a caller detained him.
Full ten minutes elapsed after his entrance, ere Jessie's light tread was heard on the stairs.

She came down slowly, and as she entered the room, Hendrickson was struck with the singular expression of her face.

At the first glance he scarcely recognized her.
"Are you not well, Miss Loring ?" he asked, stepping forward to meet her.
His manner was warm, and his tones full of sympathy.
She smiled faintly as she answered-- "Not very well.

I have a blinding headache." Still holding the hand she had extended to him in meeting, Mr.
Hendrickson led her to a sofa, and sat down by her side.