She was changing rapidly, without knowing it. In the presence of this great urgent need, and of her own deeper emotions, all the flimsy theories of the past were being utterly undermined, though outwardly towering as high and as fair as ever. She was no happier in her home-relations than before. Sebastian’s conduct was condemned there by her father and brother. She knew that it was only because of Sebastian’s wealth and Mrs. Mallory’s high position in the town, that she was allowed to participate in what was called the ‘madness’ of Mr. Mallory. Fool and madman were the mildest words in the vocabulary of the Spenceley men, by which to describe Sebastian’s course. It was wrong and iniquitous in him, they said, to set such an example, as if every mill-owner in Thanshope could be expected to support his hands while this confounded war lasted. ‘Every mill-owner--no!’ said Helena, with flashing eyes. ‘So many of them are too poor. They have not the means; but if all those who could afford it did so, it would only be their duty--their bare duty, and there would not be so many begging letters in the papers, asking for help for the richest county in the richest country in the world.’ She was informed that she knew nothing about it, and that it was only to keep her out of some other mischief that she was allowed to have anything to do with such folly. (‘And,’ she thought to herself, with a hard smile, ‘because Sebastian Mallory is rich and influential, and I see him every day, there.’) The conversation turned to Helena’s coming birthday, when she would attain her majority, and great festivities would be the order of the day. With tears in her eyes, she took the opportunity to implore her father to give up the ball which would cost so much money, and to give her half, nay, a quarter of the sum he intended to spend upon it, that she might give it to Miss Blisset or Mr. Mallory, and have it used for relief purposes; but the request was peremptorily refused, and she was told, in oracular language, that she did not know what was good either for herself or the work-people. Moreover, she was informed, it was all very well for a pretty girl to play at women’s rights; but that a daughter was expected to obey her father; and the regal Fred remarked that a fool and her money were soon parted, and he would back Helena for making ducks and drakes of any property she might ever have, if it were not pretty tightly tied up. ‘I suppose it is only finished gentlemen like yourself who know how to make proper use of their money and their time,’ said Helena, turning upon him bitterly. ‘I can tell you the whole town will cry shame on both of you--the richest men in it, and you have scarcely subscribed five pounds to keep your own work-people from starving.’ ‘I didn’t become the richest man in Thanshope by pouring my money into my work-people’s pockets,’ said Mr. Spenceley, grimly.