Helen, conceiving that he waited for and required her opinion, replied, “So I always thought--so I often told Lady Davenant.” But at this moment recollecting the words at the beginning of that letter, “My dear, too dear Henry,” Helen’s voice faltered. The general saw her confusion, but attributed it to her own consciousness. “Had Lady Davenant not been mistaken,” resumed he, “that is to say had there ever been--as might have happened not unnaturally--had there ever been an attachment; in short, had Cecilia ever loved him, and told me so, I am convinced that such truth and candour would have satisfied me, would have increased--as I now feel--increased my esteem. I am at this moment convinced that, in spite of my declared resolution, I should in perfect confidence, have married.” “Oh that Cecilia had but told him!” thought Helen. “I should not, my dear Miss Stanley,” continued the general, “have thus taken up your time talking of myself, had I not an important purpose in view. I was desirous to do away in your mind the idea of my great strictness--not on my own account, but on yours, I wished to dispel this notion. Now you will no longer, I trust, apprehend that my esteem for you is diminished. I assure you I can make allowances.” She was shocked at the idea of allowances, yet thanked him for his indulgence, and she could hardly refrain from again bursting into tears. “Still by your agitation I see you are afraid of me,” said he, smiling. “No indeed; not afraid of you, but shocked at what you must think of me.” “I am not surprised, but sorry to see that the alarm I gave my poor Cecilia this morning has passed from her mind into yours. To her I must have appeared harsh: I _was_ severe; but when I thought I had been deceived, duped, can you wonder?” Helen turned her eyes away. “My dear Miss Stanley, why will not you distinguish? the cases are essentially different. Nine out of ten of the young ladies who marry in these countries do not marry the first object of their fancy, and whenever there is, as there will be, I am sure, in your case, perfect candour, I do not apprehend the slightest danger to the happiness of either party. On the contrary, I should foretell an increase of esteem and love. Beauclerc has often----” Beauclerc’s voice was at this instant heard in the hall. “Compose yourself, my dear Miss Stanley--this way,” said the general, opening a door into the conservatory, for he heard Beauclerc’s step now in the library. The general followed Helen as she left the room, and touching the bag that contained the letters, said, “Remember, whatever may be your hurry, lock this up first.” “Thank you,” answered she; “I will, I will!” and she hastened on, and in a moment she was safe across the hall and upstairs, without meeting any one, and in her own room, and the bag locked up in her cabinet. Lady Davenant’s bell rang as she went to her apartment; she looked in at Cecilia, who started up in her bed.