"And, Helen?
Let me give you a word of advice.

Never, never, tell anyone of what happened to you this morning." The girl blushed painfully.

"I know I ought not to have told you," she whispered, "but I felt so wretched." She hesitated, and then added: "Ever since it happened I have been remembering that first evening, when my dear father warned me to leave this house.

Oh, how I wish I had done what he told me to do!" "I think you are wrong there," said Blanche.

"I think a day will come, Helen, and in spite of anything that has happened, or that may happen, when you will be very glad that you stayed on at Wyndfell Hall." "Do you ?" she said wistfully and then she went on, with a note of diffidence and shyness which touched the older woman: "You and Bubbles have both been so kind to me--would you rather that I stayed on with you?
I will if you like." "As a matter of fact, Bubbles and I are going away to-day, after all," said Blanche, "so let me send one of the men down with your telegram." "I would rather take it myself--really!" and a moment later she disappeared round the sharp turning which led on to the open road.
* * * * * Blanche walked on, her eyes on the ground, until there fell on her ears the sound of quick footsteps.