at he should be obliged to remain a week or two longer, as he had
business that required his presence.

[Picture: Blake Hall--Front (Grassdale Manor)]

'Then I will stay with you,' said I.

'But I can't do with you, Helen,' was his answer: 'as long as you stay I
shall attend to you and neglect my business.'

'But I won't let you,' I returned; 'now that I know you have business to
attend to, I shall insist upon your attending to it, and letting me
alone; and, to tell the truth, I shall be glad of a little rest. I can
take my rides and walks in the Park as usual; and your business cannot
occupy all your time: I shall see you at meal-times, and in the evenings
at least, and that will be better than being leagues away and never
seeing you at all.'

'But, my love, I cannot let you stay. How can I settle my affairs when I
know that you are here, neglected--?'

'I shall not feel myself neglected: while you are doing your duty,
Arthur, I shall never complain of neglect. If you had told me before,
that you had anything to do, it would have been half done before this;
and now you must make up for lost time by redoubled exertions. Tell me
what it is; and I will be your taskmaster, instead of being a hindrance.'

'No, no,' persisted the impracticable creature; 'you must go home, Helen;
I must have the satisfaction of knowing that you are safe and well,
though far away. Your bright eyes are faded, and that tender, delicate
bloom has quite deserted your cheek.'

'That is only with too much gaiety and fatigue.'

'It is not, I tell you; it is the London air: you are pining for the
fresh breezes of your country home, and you shall feel them before you
are two days older. And remember your situation, dearest Helen; on your
health, you know, depends the health, if not the life, of our future
hope.'

'Then you really wish to get rid of me?'

'Positively, I do; and I will take you down myself to Grassdale, and then
return. I shall not be absent above a week or fortnight at most.'

'But if I must go, I will go alone: if you must stay, it is needless to
waste your time in the journey there and back.'

But he did not like the idea of sending me alone.

'Why, what helpless creature do you take me for,' I replied, 'that you
cannot trust me to go a hundred miles in our own carriage, with our own
footman and a maid to attend me? If you come with me I shall assuredly
keep you. But tell me, Arthur, what is this