gines in the matter of steadiness, the advisability of lunching
in the train after leaving Calais, rather than on board the ship,
and soon betook himself aft, there to smoke and chat with some
acquaintances whom he fell in with. Dover Castle was becoming a gray
blur on the horizon when he spoke to Helen again.

"You look quite comfortable," he said pleasantly, "and it is wise not
to risk walking about if you are afraid of being ill."

"I used to cross in bad weather without consequences," she answered;
"but I am older now, and am doubtful of experiments."

"You were educated abroad, then?"

"Yes. I was three years in Brussels--three happy years."

"Ah! Why qualify them? All your years are happy, I should imagine, if
I may judge by appearances."

"Well, if happiness can be defined as contentment, you are right; but
I have had my sad periods too, Mr. Bower. I lost my mother when I was
eighteen, and that was a blow under which I have never ceased to
wince. Fortunately, I had to seek consolation in work. Added to good
health, it makes for content."

"You are quite a philosopher. Will you pardon my curiosity? I too lead
the strenuous life. Now, I should like to have your definition of
work. I am not questioning your capacity. My wonder is that you should
mention it at all."

"But why? Any man who knows what toil is should not regard women as
dolls."

"I prefer to look on them as goddesses."

Helen smiled. "I fear, then, you will deem my pedestal a sorry one,"
she said. "Perhaps you think, because you met me once in Miss Jaques's
company, and again here, traveling _de luxe_, that I am in her set. I
am not. By courtesy I am called a 'secretary'; but the title might be
shortened into 'typist.' I help Professor von Eulenberg with
his--scientific researches."

Though it was on the tip of her tongue to say "beetles," she
substituted the more dignified phrase. Bower was very nice and kind;
but she felt that "beetles" might sound somewhat flippant and lend a
too familiar tone to their conversation.

"Von Eulenberg? I have heard of him. Quite a distinguished man in his
own line; an authority on--moths, is it?"

"Insects generally."

She blushed and laughed outright, not only at the boomerang effect of
her grandiloquent description of the professor's industry, but at the
absurdity of her position. Above all else, Helen was candid, and there
was no reason why she should not enlighten a comparative stranger who
seemed