"Miss Helen, I--I can't realize it. You----" His voice broke, but after a moment he resumed: "You are not holding out a vain hope to me--you are sure?" Helen met his eyes steadily, and he was reassured, even before she answered gravely: "Quite sure, Mr. Farr. Do you think I would have spoken else?" She turned away her head, and he saw a tear on her cheek. "I have tried to fill my mother's place to the girls, but I was blinded by personal interests, and did not understand about Jean until too late. I don't think I could have borne it if it had not been put in my power to retrieve my mistake." Farr looked at her curiously, a thoroughly puzzled expression on his face. He opened his lips to question her, but suddenly changed his mind, and closed them without having spoken. Helen rose from the ottoman. "We have not seen the pictures, have we?" she asked in a lighter tone. Farr stood looking down at her with earnest eyes. "Miss Helen, if God is good to me, if all goes well, is there a welcome for me at the manor?" She put out her hand to him, and he held it tightly for a moment. "God bless you." Some minutes later they descended the wide stairs, and, passing through the outer door, found themselves once more in the crowded thoroughfare. The short November day was drawing to a close, the wind was keen and sharp, and a flurry of snow filled the air. "Now, Mr. Farr, I want you to put me in an omnibus, please, and you must not come uptown with me." Then, as he demurred, she added, with a friendly smile: "My mind is so full of thoughts, I would really rather be alone for a while. You understand, don't you?" She turned on the steps of the omnibus to say: "I will let you know about Jean's return, and remember, you are to spend Christmas with us." "As if I could forget," Farr murmured to himself, as he strode away, his face alight with a great happiness. As Helen rang the bell of the Hills' cozy apartment, the door was opened from the inside, and she found herself face to face with Lillian Stuart. From the drawing-room came the buzz of tongues, and through the half-open portières she could see quite a number of people standing about. Miss Stuart answered her unspoken thought: "Don't go in there, Helen; take me to your room. I want to speak to you for a moment. I have already made my call on the Hills." Helen obediently led the way down the hall, but her heart was very heavy, for she had no courage for another scene this afternoon. She knew that the conversation must necessarily be painful, and she made every effort to put off the evil moment; but in vain. Almost before the door was closed Miss Stuart began: "Now, Helen, will you please explain to me why you must return to Hetherford in such haste? Surely your aunt can spare you to me for a few days. I can't imagine how you could have planned to be in town, and not to be with me for a little visit." Helen flushed guiltily.