ack home
quietly after luncheon. It will be a mercy to Sir James."

"But," said Helen earnestly, "I can go back to my old life, and earn my
own living."

"Not if I can help it," said the duchess grimly. "Your independence has
made you a charming companion to me, I admit; but I shall see that it
does not again spoil your chances of marrying. Here comes Sir James.
Really, my dear, I don't know which one of you looks the more relieved."

On their way back through the park Helen again urged the duchess to give
up the idea of selling Hamley Court, and to consent to her taking up
her old freedom and independence once more. "I shall never, never
forget your loving kindness and protection," continued the young girl,
tenderly. "You will let me come to you always when you want me; but
you will let me also shape my life anew, and work for my living." The
duchess turned her grave, half humorous face towards her. "That means
you have determined to seek HIM. Well! Perhaps if you give up your other
absurd idea of independence, I may assist you. And now I really believe,
dear, that there is that dreadful South American," pointing to a figure
that was crossing the lawn at Hamley Court, "hovering round like a
vulture. Well, I can't see him to-day if he calls, but YOU may. By the
way, they say he is not bad-looking, was a famous general in the South
American War, and is rolling in money, and comes here on a secret
mission from his government. But I forget--the rest of our life is to
be devoted to seeking ANOTHER. And I begin to think I am not a good
matchmaker."

Helen was in no mood for an interview with the stranger, whom, like the
duchess, she was inclined to regard as a portent of fate and sacrifice.
She knew her friend's straitened circumstances, which might make such
a sacrifice necessary to insure a competency for her old age, and,
as Helen feared also, a provision for herself. She knew the strange
tenderness of this masculine woman, which had survived a husband's
infidelities and a son's forgetfulness, to be given to her, and her
heart sank at the prospect of separation, even while her pride demanded
that she should return to her old life again. Then she wondered if the
duchess was right; did she still cherish the hope of meeting Ostrander
again? The tears she had kept back all that day asserted themselves
as she flung open the library door and ran across the garden into the
myrtle walk. "In hospital!" The words had been ringi