How to steer her way in the moral hurricane she foresaw, was what preoccupied her; so as both to do her duty to Lord B.and yet keep a hold on this strange being in whose good graces she still found herself--much to her astonishment.
Then with midnight Helena departed.

But long after she was herself in bed, Mrs.Friend heard movements in the adjoining room, and was aware of a scent of tobacco stealing in through her own open window.
Helena, indeed, when she found herself alone was, for a time, too excited to sleep, and cigarettes were her only resource.

She was conscious of an exaltation of will, a passionate self-assertion, beating through all her veins, which made sleep impossible.

Cousin Philip had scarcely addressed a word to her during the evening, and had bade her a chilly good-night.
Of course, if that was to be his attitude it was impossible she could go on living under his roof.

Her mother could not for a moment have expected her to keep her word, under such conditions ...