The ladies were
interested, but felt this confidence something of an indiscretion,
and did not comment upon it. They hoped she would not be tempted to
impart her secret to persons less capable of respecting it.
During these days there came a definite invitation from Mrs.
Borisoff, who was staying in Hampshire, at the house of her widowed
mother, and Irene gladly accepted it. She wished to see more of
Helen Borisoff, whose friendship, she felt, might have significance
for her at this juncture of life. The place and its inhabitants, she
found on arriving, answered very faithfully to Helen's description;
an old manor-house, beautifully situated, hard by a sleepy village;
its mistress a rather prim woman of sixty, conventional in every
thought and act, but too good-natured to be aggressive, and living
with her two unmarried daughters, whose sole care was the spiritual
and material well-being of the village poor.
"Where I come from, I really don't know," said Helen to her friend.
"My father was the staidest of country gentlemen. I'm a sport,
plainly. You will see my mother watch me every now and then with
apprehension. I fancy it surprises her that I really do behave
myself--that I don't even say anything shocking. With you, the
dear old lady is simply delighted; I know she prays that I may not
harm you. You are the first respectable acquaintance I have made
since my marriage.
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