She drew the locket from her bosom and, holding it out, touched a spring. There was a small miniature inside; Helène, leaning over, recognised it at once. It was a likeness of the girl herself. She felt the colour leave her cheeks, but she did not flinch. "I was not aware," she said, "that you were on such friendly terms with Lord Wolfenden." The girl smiled oddly. "Lord Wolfenden," she said, "has been very kind to me." "Perhaps," Helène continued, "I ought not to ask, but I must confess that you have surprised me. Is Lord Wolfenden--your lover?" Miss Merton shut up the locket with a click and returned it to her bosom. There was no longer any question as to her retaining it. She looked at Helène thoughtfully. "Has he been making love to you?" she asked abruptly. Helène raised her eyes and looked at her. The other girl felt suddenly very insignificant. "You must not ask me impertinent questions," she said calmly. "Of course you need not tell me anything unless you choose. It is for you to please yourself." The girl was white with anger. She had not a tithe of Helène's self-control, and she felt that she was not making the best of her opportunities. "Lord Wolfenden," she said slowly, "did promise to marry me once. I was his father's secretary, and I was turned away on his account." "Indeed!" There was a silence between the two women. Miss Merton was watching Helène closely, but she was disappointed. Her face was set in cold, proud lines, but she showed no signs of trouble. "Under these circumstances," Helène said, "the locket certainly belongs to you. If you will allow me, I will ring now for my maid. I am leaving here this evening." "I should like," Miss Merton said, "to tell you about Lord Wolfenden and myself." Helène smiled languidly. "You will excuse me, I am sure," she said. "It is scarcely a matter which interests me." Miss Merton flushed angrily. She was at a disadvantage and she knew it. "I thought that you were very much interested in Lord Wolfenden," she said spitefully. "I have found him much pleasanter than the majority of Englishmen." "But you don't care to hear about him--from me!" Miss Merton exclaimed. Helène smiled. "I have no desire to be rude," she said, "but since you put it in that way I will admit that you are right." The girl bit her lip. She felt that she had only partially succeeded. This girl was more than her match. She suddenly changed her tactics. "Oh! you are cruel," she exclaimed. "You want to take him from me; I know you do! He promised--to marry me--before you came. He must marry me! I dare not go home!" "I can assure you," Helène said quietly, "that I have not the faintest desire to take Lord Wolfenden from you--or from any one else! I do not like this conversation at all, and I do not intend to continue it. Perhaps if you have nothing more to say you will go to your room, or if you wish to go away I will order a carriage for you. Please make up your mind quickly."