"And you have made us all feel that you regard the practices and observances by which we try to fill and inspire our lives, as mere hateful folly and superstition!" He checked himself. "Is that too strong?" he added, with a sudden eagerness. "If so, I apologise for and withdraw it!" Laura, for a moment, was speechless. Then she gathered her forces, and said, with a voice she in vain tried to compose: "I think you exaggerate, Mr. Helbeck; at any rate, I hope you do. But the fact is, I--I ought not to have tried to bear it. Considering all that had happened at home--it was more than I had strength for! And perhaps--no good will come of going on with it--and it had better cease. Mr. Helbeck!--if your Superior can really find a good nurse and companion at once, will you kindly communicate with her? I will go to Cambridge immediately, as soon as I can arrange with my friends. Augustina, no doubt, will come and stay with me somewhere at the sea, later on in the year." Helbeck had been listening to her--to the sharp determination of her voice--in total silence. He was leaning against the high mantelpiece, and his face was hidden from her. As she ceased to speak, he turned, and his mere aspect beat down the girl's anger in a moment. He shook his head sadly. "Dr. MacBride stopped me on the bridge yesterday, as he was coming away from the house." Laura drew back. Her eyes fastened upon him. "He thinks her in a serious state. We are not to alarm her, or interfere with her daily habits. There is valvular disease--as I think you know--and it has advanced. Neither he nor anyone can forecast." The girl's head fell. She recognised that the contest was over. She could not go; she could not leave Augustina; and the inference was clear. There had not been a word of menace, but she understood. Mr. Helbeck's will must prevail. She had brought this humiliating half-hour on herself--and she would have to bear the consequences of it. She moved towards Helbeck. "Well then, I must stay," she said huskily, "and I must try to--to remember where I am in future. I ought to be able to hide everything I feel--of course! But that unfortunately is what I never learnt. And--there are some ways of life--that--that are too far apart. However!"--she raised her hand to her brow, frowned, and thought a little--"I can't make any promise about my cousins, Mr. Helbeck. _I_ know perfectly well--whatever may be said--that I have done nothing whatever to be ashamed of. I have wanted to--to help my cousin. He is worth helping--in spite of everything--and I _will_ help him, if I can! But if I am to remain your guest, I see that I must consult your wishes----" Helbeck tried again to stop her with a gesture, but she hurried on. "As far as this house and neighbourhood are concerned, no one shall have any reason--to talk." Then she threw her head back with a sudden flush. "Of course, if people are born to say and think ill-natured things!--like Mrs. Denton----" Helbeck exclaimed.