She turned to Geoffrey, and Mrs. Greene's start of annoyance at the last word was unnoticed. "Geoffrey asked me to marry him a long time ago," she went on. "I wouldn't for several reasons, chiefly my work. Then only to-day I suddenly changed my mind and came to tell him so; at least Lavinia brought me." "You actually proposed to Helen a long time ago, Geoffrey dear, and yet you've never mentioned her name to me?" The playful reproach in Mrs. Greene's voice hid successfully the raging resentment in her heart, but before Geoffrey could answer, Helen broke in: "That was entirely my fault. I felt so uncertain and wretched that the whole thing had to be kept absolutely private." "Even from Geoffrey's mother," asked Mrs. Greene gently. In the fading light Helen's young face looked stern, but she, too, spoke gently. "Yes, even from you, I'm afraid. It was so vitally important to both of us that whichever way it had turned, whether we decided to marry or not to marry, we simply couldn't afford to let in any outside influence." "I see," said Mrs. Greene slowly. "I've never really thought of myself as 'an outside influence.' My one desire has always been for my children's happiness. That's what comes first with me and always will. Geoffrey knows that; you'll learn it too, dear." Geoffrey had caught the undertone of acidity that betrayed her real feelings, and he made an effort to placate her. "You really are amazing, Mother," he said. "I know it must be a shock to you, but as Helen says, it's a shock to us too." She bent and kissed him. "My dear Geoffrey," she said, "I'm sure time will prove it to be a pleasant shock, not the reverse; I'm only too glad to have another little daughter." Geoffrey grinned and said tactlessly: "Not really a little one, Mother; Helen's quite a bit taller than you are." Mrs. Greene's armour cracked. "Don't be silly," she said sharply. "You know quite well I wasn't referring to her size." Putting a hand on his brow she regained her poise. "You're quite tired out," she said. "_Such_ a hot head. Now, Helen, I'm only going to give you five minutes and then you must come downstairs and let Geoffrey rest. Come to the drawing-room, will you, and have a little chat before you go?" "Thank you, I will," said Helen opening the door for Mrs. Greene who turned her head to smile tenderly at Geoffrey, gave Helen's shoulder a little pat, sighed, and left the room. IV If Helen was secretly disgusted by all the elaborate preparations for her wedding she disguised her feelings with considerable skill, and took part quite naturally, in endless discussions on trousseaux, red carpets and white satin. Both her mother and Geoffrey's mother were delighted at her unlooked-for docility, and Mrs. Guest admitted quite frankly to Mrs. Greene that Helen's engagement was having a very settling effect on her; to which Mrs. Greene replied firmly: