But Mr. Grahame, in a voice scarcely articulate, thanked him, declined his services, and took the office upon himself. He went through the ceremony of introduction with frigid formality, and Helen supported it with a grace and dignity which elevated her in the estimation of the gentlemen to whom she was introduced, although they had yet a misgiving respecting her, from the continued cold silence towards her of every member of her family, save Evangeline. The Duke began to engage her in conversation, made some remarks respecting the delicate health her appearance betrayed, and was in full career to forget Margaret entirely in his increasing admiration of Helen’s beauty, when once more the door of the room was flung wide, and the butler announced, “The Honorable Lester Vane.” Helen set her teeth together hard; she drew her form proudly erect, and sat more like a queen than ever. “Youaw man should have announced the ‘late Honawable Lestaw Vane,’ I think, Gwahame,” exclaimed the young Duke, with a slight laugh. “I beg your pardon, my lord duke,” returned Vane, calmly, suffering his gaze to wander slowly round the table; “Mr. Grahame was conscious that I should be unable to join until this hour, and kindly consented to waive----” His eye fell upon Helen Grahame, and he paused. His face betrayed an aspect of intense amazement; then his eye ran rapidly round upon the countenances of all there. Another instant, and he had recovered his self-possession. He went on speaking. “To waive the usual observances in my favour, and admit me at any hour I might be able to reach here.” A few words of vapid nothings, and Lester seated himself before his wine, that he might more quietly and coolly examine the vision before him, and learn, if possible, the cause of her being here, where, after his interview with her at the humble lodgings, he least of all expected to meet her. He had been soundly thrashed by Bantom; but, though he was confined for a week to his chamber, he had got over it; without, however, as yet discovering the individual who had subjected him to the outrage. Once his eyes and Helen’s met; but there was an expression in her bright orbs which he could not bear unmoved, and he looked away from her. Suddenly Mrs. Grahame rose from her seat, and prepared to quit the room. The gentlemen rose up too. The mother seemed to shrink and totter as she passed the child, at whom only she had looked once since she entered, but to whom she had not uttered a word. Margaret would have haughtily, though hastily, followed her, but that Helen, with an imperial bearing, stood before her, and compelled her to halt while she took her place, as the eldest daughter, next to her mother.