"I cannot explain it, Mr. Farr," she said slowly, "but I feel perfectly safe in answering you that it was all a mistake, and that Jean never knew of your call at the manor." "And what of the message the servant gave me? Forgive me, Miss Helen, if I seem to press you, but this is no light matter to me." "I am quite sure that Jean never gave that message, although I can give you no further explanation of the matter." Farr's face went very white, and, as Helen looked at him, she saw how much the past few months had changed him. There were deep lines about his mouth, and his grave eyes were immeasurably sad. Her heart went out to him in sudden sympathy, and she spoke to him with a touch of tenderness in her voice. "Jean will be with us again at Christmas time, I hope, and then you must see her and let her explain to you how such a mistake was made." Farr rested his elbow on his knee and dropped his head in his hand. "If I only felt sure you were right, Miss Helen." He paused a moment, then resumed with deep earnestness, "I cared so much for your sister that the sudden withdrawal of her friendship was a bitter blow to me." Helen's eyes were downcast, her lips refused to speak. The silence was broken by Farr. "I think at one time I dreamed she cared for me a little, but my illusion was quickly dispelled." Another pause of briefer duration, and then he turned to his companion with a question on his lips. "How was it, Miss Helen? Did I presume too much on your sister's kindness to me? I suppose I must have, although it seems to me that I hardly deserved her excessive coldness and dislike." Helen, thus put to the test, looked straight up at him, and answered a little tremulously: "Mr. Farr, Jean always liked you." He drew a quick sharp breath. "Why do you think so?" he asked. Then before Helen could reply, he went on in a strained voice, "I loved Jean with all my heart, and was about to ask her to be my wife. I love her now--I shall always love her." "And Jean cares for you," Helen whispered, so low he had to bend his head to catch the words. "Cares for me?" he repeated, a sudden light in his eyes, his voice grown very deep and tender. "Yes, oh yes. There must have been some wretched mistake which can be explained away. I don't know how it was," she went on with a plaintive smile. "Jean's heart was almost broken because of you, and she grew so ill we had to send her away." "Thank God!" he ejaculated solemnly. Helen broke into a little laugh, which was full of tears. "That Jean has gone away?" she queried. Farr lifted his head and drew a deep breath. "I can't thank you, Miss Helen. I seem to have no words to express to you what you have done for me to-day. Indeed, it seems as if Fate, for once, had chosen to do me a kind turn." After a little Helen said gently: "You must come to the manor for Christmas, Mr. Farr. I can think of no greater happiness for Jean than to have you there to welcome her on her return."