"I did not
mean to. Come with me."
He yielded to the sudden impulse, and then reflected as they passed
down the aisle that he had no right to bring a stranger into Mrs.
Wilson's pew. Having invited her, however, it was impossible to
retract, and he showed her into the slip after Mrs. Wilson. As the
latter turned to sit down, she became aware of the stranger. She
paused, and looked at her with haughty surprise.
"I beg pardon," she said, "this is a private pew."
The girl flushed, looking inquiringly at Maurice. His masculine nature
resented the insolence of the glance with which Mrs. Wilson had swept
the stranger, and he came instantly to the rescue.
"I invited her," he said, leaning forward, speaking with a
determination at which his hostess raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, very well then," Mrs. Wilson murmured.
She sank into her seat, and inclined her head on the rail before her.
As Maurice did the same there shot through his mind a wonder at the
change there must be in the mental attitude of the woman who spoke with
haughtiness almost insulting to the stranger, and the penitent who bent
to ask pity and forgiveness from heaven.
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