someone to
sympathise with you" interupted Lawrence.

"Oh Mr. Lincarrol you dont understand" cried Helen with a sob.

"I think I do" replied Lawrence gently, coming a little closer and
taking her trembling hand. I think I understand your feelings, it must
be very sad to be so--so lonely."

"Wait till your turn comes Mr. Lincarrol and you will know then" replied
Helen.

"Would it be different, to have some one to care for you, to love you as
your father did?" asked Lawrence.

"Oh it would, it would" cried Helen rapturesly clasping her hands
together.

"suppose some one loved you now as much if not more than your father,
what would you say?" asked Lawrence.

"I could not belive it" replied Helen promptly unless "unless" she
added, "I knew the person very well and was quite posative of the love,
and had good proofs of it."

"Have you not proofs enough?" asked Lawrence.

"Of what?" asked Helen.

"Of my love for you" replied Lawrence.

"Your love!?" gasped Helen.

"Yes" repeated Lawrence passionately, "oh Helen I can no longer restrain
my feelings, I love you as I never before loved anyone, can I hope, can
I dare to hope that you return my love?"

Helen did not answer. She was thinking of another proposal some months
past, so very unlike this one, far away on the Kenelham hill tops, and
she remembered how she had acted then. Once more, she felt the soft sea
breeze fan her face, she saw the hills and the distant sea and she saw
oh how plainly Cyrils form by her side, she heard his words and her own
replies, she saw his blue eyes looking so intently at her; and then
awaking to the present she saw another pair of blue eyes looking at her,
speaking so much more fervently than the others and she felt the clasp
of a strong hand on her own and then raising her head she looked at
Lawrence and softly whispered "yes."

"Oh Helen" cried Lawrence "you make me so happy, so very happy!

Tears of joy dimmed Helen's eyes and Lawrence taking her hand drew her
head on to his breast and told her gently of his great love for her and
how happy they both would be. And Helen listenned feeling the happiness
had already begun.

A gentle breeze began to stir the trees and fan the brows of the lovers
as they slowly walked along the paths of love, and the moon looking down
from her home in the heavens, smiled on the pair and wished them joy.

CHAPTER 32

PREPARATIONS

As the time drew on Lord Beaufort began to make pre