who thereupon retired to the apartments of the Duchess of Ribblesdale, and shortly afterwards set out on her return journey to Windsor. It was Evelyn who had fainted. Accompanied by Miss Strong, she had come late into the Hall, and, unable from the crush to penetrate far, had to be content with standing on the edge of the crowd of spectators, where little or nothing could be seen. The Queen’s voice, however, as she addressed the young soldier, was distinctly heard through the vast chamber, and the next moment, owing to the sudden movement of the helmeted head of one of the dragoons drawn up in double line in front, Evelyn caught a momentary glimpse of the heroic young Sergeant. The effect upon her was electric--to her eyes he seemed the very living image of her lost brother, and in a moment of uncontrollable impulse she tried to utter his name, and in the act, fell fainting on the floor amidst the throng. Willing hands were at once ready to raise her and carry her into the cloisters, where consciousness returned, and the party, led by Miss Strong, then bore her upstairs, and laid her on the sofa in her own drawing-room. As sometimes happens after a severe fainting fit, the mind of Evelyn seemed deadened, and her recollection was hazy as to the events immediately preceding the attack. All she could say, in answer to the inquiries of Miss Strong, was, that she had imagined Sergeant Smith very strongly to resemble her brother, and that the shock which the sudden discovery of this likeness gave her occasioned her to fall to the ground. She now saw and regretted her weakness, but she could not help feeling an inward sense of satisfaction that one who had so merited the admiration of his Sovereign and fellow-countrymen should have resembled a brother whose character she deemed so noble. “Had he had the chance,” said Evelyn to her friend, “I think my poor brother would have acted as bravely and as well.” Miss Strong took in the _Illustrated London News_, and when it came to hand the following Saturday, there was a charming portrait of Sergeant Wilfred Smith, V.C. Miss Strong remarked the coincidence of Christian names, which, if she was aware of it, had not struck her before; and although she was in the habit of lending the paper to her young neighbour, she on this occasion forwarded it straight off to the Soldiers’ Hospital at Malta, which was invariably its final destination. Truth to tell, Miss Strong, who was not of a romantic disposition, and had strong common sense, thought in her heart of hearts that Evelyn, who had confided everything to her, was just a wee bit superstitious on the subject of her drowned brother, and she felt that she would not herself do anything which might tend to foster that unwholesome feeling. The incident, however, of Evelyn’s fainting fit was not destined to pass without observation. It formed abundant subject for remark and discussion at a meeting of the Female Vehme-Gericht of Hampton Court on the following day.