She did not know whether Helen was
at home, or had rambled away. If Piers came, and his call was
announced to her, could she go forth and see him?
Not to do so, would be unjust, both to herself and to him. The
relations between them demanded, of all things, honesty and courage.
No little courage, it was true; for she must speak to him plainly of
things from which she shrank even in communing with herself.
Yet she had done as hard a thing as this. Harder, perhaps, that
interview with Arnold Jacks which set her free. Honesty and courage
--clearness of sight and strength of purpose where all but every
girl would have drifted dumbly the common way--had saved her life
from the worst disaster: saved, too, the man whom her weakness would
have wronged. Had she not learnt the lesson which life sets before
all, but which only a few can grasp and profit by?
Towards midday she left her room, and went in search of Helen; not
finding her within doors, she stepped out on to the sward, and
strolled in the neighbourhood of the Castle. A child whom she knew
approached her.
"Have you seen Mrs. Borisoff?" she asked.
"She's down at the beck, with the gentleman," answered the little
girl, pointing with a smile to the deep, leaf-hidden glen half a
mile away.
Irene lingered for a few minutes and went in again.
At luncheon-time Helen had not returned. The meal was delayed for
her, more than a quarter of an hour.
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