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“Do you think her worth so much bloodshed, and deserving so much praise?” she asked, vainly trying to conceal the significant smile that would break loose on her lips and sparkle in her eyes.

Talbot laughed the short, boyish laugh so familiar to her ears, as he glanced from the picture to the arch questioner, and answered in a tone that made her heart beat with a nameless pain and pleasure, so full of suppressed ardor was it:

“Yes! ‘All for love or the world well lost’ is a saying I heartily agree to. La belle Helene is my favorite heroine, and I regard Paris as the most enviable of men.”

“I should like to see her.”

The wish broke from Lillian involuntarily, and she was too much confused to turn it off by any general expression of interest in the classical lady.

“You may sometime,” answered Talbot, with an air of amusement; adding, as if to relieve her, “I have a poetical belief that all the lovely women of history or romance will meet, and know, and love each other in some charming hereafter.”

“But I’m no heroine and no beauty, so I shall never enter your poetical paradise,” said Lillian, with a pretty affectation of regret.

“Some women are beauties without knowing it, and the heroines of romances never given to the world. I think you and Helen will yet meet, Miss Trevlyn.”

As he spoke, Mrs. Langdon beckoned, and he left her pondering over his last words, and conscious of a secret satisfaction in his implied promise that she should see his betrothed.

“How do you like him?” whispered Maud, slipping into the empty chair.

“Very well,” was the composed reply; for Lillian enjoyed her little mystery too much to spoil it yet.

“What did you say to him? I longed to hear, for you seemed to enjoy yourselves very much, but I didn’t like to be a marplot.”

Lillian repeated a part of the conversation, and Maud professed to be consumed with jealousy at the impression her friend had evidently made.

“It is folly to try to win the hero, for he is already won, you know,” answered Lillian, shutting the cover on the pictured Helen with a sudden motion as if glad to extinguish her.

“Oh dear, no; Mrs. Langdon just told Mamma that she was mistaken about their being engaged; for she asked him and he shook his head, saying Helen was his ward.”

“But that is absurd, for he’s only a boy himself. It’s very odd, isn’t it? Never mind, I shall soon know all about it.”

“How?” cried Maud, amazed at Lillian’s assured manner.

“Wait a day or two and, I’ll tell you a romance in return for yours. Your mother beckons to me, so I know Hester has come. Good night. I’ve had a charming time.”

And with this tantalizing adieu, Lillian slipped away. Hester was waiting in the carriage, but as Lillian appeared, Talbot put aside the footman and handed her in, saying very low, in the well-remembered tone:

“Good night, my little mistress.”

Chapter VI

FAIR HELEN

To no one but her mother and Hester did Lillian confide the discovery she had made. None of the former servants but old Bedford remained with them, and till Paul chose to renew the old friendship it was best to remain silent. Great was the surprise and delight of our lady and Hester at the good fortune of their protege, and many the conjectures as to how he would explain his hasty flight.

“You will go and see him, won’t you, Mamma, or at least inquire about him?” said Lillian, eager to assure the wanderer of a welcome, for those few words of his had satisfied her entirely.

“No, dear, it is for him to seek us, and till he does, I shall make no sign. He knows where we are, and if he chooses he can renew the acquaintance so strangely broken off. Be patient, and above all things remember, Lillian, that you are no longer a child,” replied my lady, rather disturbed by her daughter’s enthusiastic praises of Paul.