ned to reassure her, using all her powers to
comfort her until she at last grew calm enough to examine and admire the
Christmas gifts upon which no expense had been spared. Much as we may
ignore dress, and sinful as is an inordinate love for it, there is yet
about it an influence for good, when the heart of the wearer is right,
holding it subservient to all higher, holier affections. At least Helen
Lennox found it so, when, clad in her new garments, which added so much
to her good looks, she drove with Mrs. Banker, or returned Sybil
Grandon's call, feeling that there was about her nothing for which Katy
need to blush, or even Wilford, who blandly invited her one pleasant day
to drive with him to the Park, seeming so disappointed when told that he
had been forestalled by Mr. Ray, whose fine turnout attracted less
attention that afternoon than did the handsome lady at his side, Helen
Lennox, who bade fair to rival even her Sister Katy tarrying at home,
and listening with delight to the flattering things which Wilford
reported as having been said of Helen by those for whose opinion he
cared the most. He was not afraid to be seen with her now, and Helen,
while knowing the reason of the change, did not feel like quarreling
with him for it, but accepted with a good-natured grace of what made her
life in New York very happy. With Bell Cameron she was on the best of
terms; while Sybil Grandon, always going with the tide, professed for
her an admiration, which, whether fancied or real, did much toward
making her popular; and when, as the mistress of her brother's house,
she issued cards of invitation for a large party, she took especial
pains to insist upon Helen's attending, even if Katy were not able. But
from this Helen shrank. She could not meet so many strangers alone, she
said, and so the matter was dropped, until Mrs. Banker offered to
chaperone her, when Helen began to waver, changing her mind at last
and promising to go.

Never since the days of her first party had Katy been so wild with
excitement as she was in deciding upon Helen's dress, which well became
the wearer, who scarcely knew herself when, before the mirror, with the
blaze of the chandelier falling upon her, she saw the picture of a young
girl arrayed in rich pink silk, with an overskirt of lace, and the light
pretty cloak, just thrown upon her uncovered neck, where Katy's pearls
were shining. Even Wilford was pleased, and stood by admiring her almost
as muc