"But she has been in the abysses at any rate," said Mrs.Meldrum, "and I really don't think I can tell you what pulled her through." "I think I can tell _you_," I returned.

"What in the world but Mrs.
Meldrum ?" At the end of an hour Flora had not come in, and I was obliged to announce that I should have but time to reach the station, where I was to find my luggage in charge of my mother's servant.

Mrs.Meldrum put before me the question of waiting till a later train, so as not to lose our young lady, but I confess I gave this alternative a consideration less acute than I pretended.

Somehow I didn't care if I did lose our young lady.

Now that I knew the worst that had befallen her it struck me still less as possible to meet her on the ground of condolence; and with the sad appearance she wore to me what other ground was left?
I lost her, but I caught my train.