quil for a moment? She has torn a small piece of lace which must be
controlled by a pin. Probably _monsieur_ is still _en voyage_, is
visiting friends as is madame herself."

A sudden distrust that the black dress was too mature, that it
constituted an admission of departing youth, invaded Helen. The
reflection in the oval mirror once more caused her discomfort.

"Tell Charles that I am no longer acquainted with M. Destournelle. If
he presumes to call he is to be refused."

Helen set her teeth. But whether in anger towards her discarded lover,
or the black dress, she would have found it difficult to declare. Again
uncertainty held her, suspicion of circumstance, and, in a degree, of
herself. The lady's-maid, imperturbable, just conceivably impertinent,
in manner, had risen to her feet.

"There," she said, "it will be secure for to-night, if madame will
exercise a moderate degree of caution and avoid abrupt movements.
Charles says that _monsieur_ inquired very urgently after madame. He
appeared dejected and in weak health. He was agitated on meeting
Charles. He trembled. A little more and he would have wept. It would be
well, perhaps, that madame should give Charles her orders regarding
_monsieur_ herself."

"You should not have made me wear this gown," Helen broke out
inconsequently. "It is depressing, it is hideous. I want to change it."

"Impossible. Madame is already a little late, and there is nothing
wrong with the costume. Madame looks magnificent. Also her wardrobe is,
at present, limited. The evening dresses will barely suffice for a stay
of a week, and it is not possible for me to construct a new one under
ten days."

Thereupon an opening of doors and voice from the anteroom announcing:--

"Dinner is served, my lady. Sir Richard is in the dining-room."

And Helen swept forward, somewhat stormy and Cassandra-like in her
dusky garments. Passing out through the high, narrow doorway, she
turned her head.

"Charles, under no circumstance--none, understand--am I at home to
Monsieur Destournelle."

"Very good, my lady," and, as he closed the double-doors, the
man-servant looked at the lady's-maid his tongue in his cheek.

But, on the journey through the noble suite of rooms, Helen's spirits
revived somewhat. Her fair head, her warm glancing jewels, her graceful
and measured movements, as given back by many tall mirrors, renewed her
self-confidence. She too must be fond of her own image, by the way,
that