"Oh yes" said Gladys "that is easily done, but mind you dont tell Mr. Sheene you have seen me today nor dont tell him you are coming to see me either." "Oh no" replied Helen "I'll merely say I am going to Richmond for a trip, he does not know you live there." "Then that is settled" replied Gladys with a sigh of relief "what time do you expect Mr. Sheene home?" "Not till quite late" said Helen "you must stay to lunch." "Thank you" said Gladys "I shall be delighted." So Helen rang the bell and when Alice answered it she ordered dinner for two in a most bussiness like way. Having made a good lunch, Gladys put on her things and got ready to start. "You must not walk again" said Helen "I'll call a hansom," so saying she opened the front door and gave a soft whistle. In a minute a hansom drove up to the door and Helen helped her friend in. "Goodbye Gladys" she said "dont forget to write and let me know directly you here from Norfolk and I'll come up if I can." "No, I'll be sure to write" responded Gladys "thank you so much Helen for all your kindness," and with a wave of her hand Gladys was driven rapidly away in the direction of Holburn Station, while Helen returned to the sitting room, a great weight lifted from her heart. CHAPTER 23 CYRIL'S RETURN AND THE PROMISED VISIT It was past ten before Cyril returned home very wet and cross into the bargin. Helen saw at a glance what she might expect, so she carefully made up the fire and set a nice hot supper on the table. "How tired you look dear" she said as she helped him off with his over coat. "Well I suppose I do" replied Cyril crossly. "Did you find your friend at home?" enquired Helen. "Yes I did" said Cyril hastily pouring out his beer. "Well that's all right" said Helen cheerily putting a lump of coal on the fire. "No it's not all right" replied Cyril "for pity's sake leave that fire alone, I'm not going to sit up all night." Helen smiled "have you a tooth ache dear" she asked. "No I've not" said Cyril "look here Helen, have you seen a little card about the floor today?" "Yes dear" replied Helen "a little Xmas card, that Mrs. Gingham sent you last year." "Oh yes" said Cyril, trying to look as though that was what he meant "where did you put it?" "In the desk dear" replied Helen producing a faded little card, which in an ordinary moment Cyril would have tossed into the fire, but now he carefully placed it in his note book. "By the way Helen," said Cyril "I find I must go to Piccadilly again tomorrow as I did not get through my bussiness today, have breakfast at 8-30 will you?" "Yes dear" replied Helen, and after saying goodnight to him, she put out the lamp, taking care to drop the pawn ticket, (which had been in her pocket all this time) on the hearth rug, where she had found it. Helen slept very soundly indeed and she therefore was awake early. She got dressed quickly, and went down to the sitting room.