conspicuous and brilliant figure in that set in London which
works eighteen hours a day to keep itself amused, but after the
death of her husband she had disappeared into the country as
completely as though she had entered a convent, and after
several years had then re-entered the world as a professional
philanthropist. Her name was now associated entirely with
Women's Leagues, with committees that presented petitions to
Parliament, and with public meetings, at which she spoke with
marvellous ease and effect. Her old friends said she had taken
up this new pose as an outlet for her nervous energies, and as an
effort to forget the man who alone had made life serious to her.
Others knew her as an earnest woman, acting honestly for what she
thought was right. Her success, all admitted, was due to her
knowledge of the world and to her sense of humor, which taught
her with whom to use her wealth and position, and when to demand
what she wanted solely on the ground that the cause was just.

She had taken more than a fancy for Helen, and the position of
the beautiful, motherless girl had appealed to her as one filled
with dangers. When she grew to know Helen better, she recognized
that these fears were quite unnecessary, and as she saw more of
her she learned to care for her deeply. Helen had told her much
of Carroll and of his double purpose in coming to London; of
his brilliant work and his lack of success in having it
recognized; and of his great and loyal devotion to her, and of
his lack of success, not in having that recognized, but in her
own inability to return it. Helen was proud that she had been
able to make Carroll care for her as he did, and that there was
anything about her which could inspire a man whom she admired so
much, to believe in her so absolutely and for so long a time.