She was losing sight of her conviction that the need of doing what one felt to be right was in itself so imperative that no course of action could be wrong which was based upon this principle. The truth is that all mortals, and perhaps women especially, feel that a virtuous resolution, a noble self-denial, must bring with it a spiritual uplifting which will render it possible to hold to it. The hour of self-conquest is one of inner exaltation which is so vivid that it is impossible to realize that it can be otherwise than perpetual; a life of self-conquest is a continuous struggle against the double doubt which is the ghost of the short-lived exaltation that promised to be immortal. From her reverie, Helen was aroused by a question of Melissa which almost seemed as if suggested by thought transference. "Do you know," Melissa asked, "why the commission was not given to Mr. Herman?" "The commission?" Helen repeated, so startled by the mention of the name which had been in her mind that for the moment she did not comprehend the question. "Why, for the _America_," returned Melissa. "I thought you knew Mr. Herman, and Orin said that you had withdrawn." Helen looked at her with a puzzled air. "I did withdraw," she said, "but I did not know the matter had been decided. Who is Orin? Orin Stanton?" "Yes, he is to make the statue." "Did he tell you so?" "Yes, he thinks I helped him by speaking to Mrs. Fenton; but she said Mr. Calvin already wanted Orin, so it made no difference." "How long has it been decided?" asked Helen. "He showed me the letter from Mr. Calvin day before yesterday. The committee hadn't met, but Mr. Irons had promised his vote, and he and Mr. Calvin make a majority. Orin had been afraid Mr. Irons would vote for Mr. Herman, and I did not know but what you could tell. We are all so much interested in the statue." Helen laid down her tools with an air of sudden determination. "Why are you?" she asked, rather absently. "When Mrs. Fenton told me she had asked you to let me model your hands, she didn't mention your being interested in my art." "Oh, I don't know anything about it," returned the other, with the utmost frankness, "only that Orin's a sculptor." Helen smiled at the girl's _naivete_. "And am I to congratulate you on Orin's success?" Melissa blushed. "Of course I am pleased," she answered, "especially for John's sake." "And John?" Helen pursued, finishing her preparations for leaving her work. "John is Orin's half-brother," Milly replied, in a voice and with a manner which made it unnecessary for Mrs. Greyson to question farther. "I shall not work any more this morning," she said. "I have to go out."