"John," said Miss Salsbury to the driver, "stop here. We cannot get through the crowd and I wish to get out."
The man, who was on the front seat, went on a few yards, stopped, stood up in the carriage to see better, and then said,—
"That's one of our young ladies, ma'am, the one I hear 'em call the beauty."
At this moment, Mr. Morris limped away from the buggy, trying to walk to a house near by. He was evidently suffering, and his face was deathly pale. A horrible suspicion flashed through Miss Salsbury's mind. Miss Saunders, her pupil, had deceived her,—had taken advantage of her absence to break the rules of the school, and ride with Mr. Morris. Without waiting for John to open the door, she turned the handle herself and got out. Two men were assisting Alice up the steps to the house, when Miss Salsbury stopped them.
"You needn't take the young lady up there," she said; "I have a carriage here and will convey her home. If one of you will go for the doctor as quickly as possible, and ask him to call at the Ladies' Seminary, you will do Miss Saunders a great favor."
The men turned and lifted the young miss down the steps.
"John," called his mistress, "take Miss Saunders in your arms and lift her into the carriage as carefully as you used to lift your sick mother. My niece will support her, and I will sit in front."
Mr. Morris stood with his hand to his head, viewing all these arrangements with a stupid gaze of astonishment. It seemed so strange that, of all persons in the world, the preceptress should happen to be there.
Just as they started away and while the crowd stood gazing after them, Miss Salsbury said,—
"Mr. Morris, you will do me a favor if you will request Dr. Bowles to call at the Ladies' Seminary this evening."