your faults and yet love you still, in spite of them--or on
account of them. And I like the things he does for you. I like,
for instance, his sending you the book of the moment every
week for two years. That shows a most unswerving spirit of
devotion. And the story of the broken bridge in the woods is a
wonderful story. If I were a young girl, I could love a man for
that alone. It was a beautiful thing to do."

Helen sat with her chin on her hands, deeply considering this new
point of view.

"I thought it very foolish of him," she confessed questioningly,
"to take such a risk for such a little thing."

Lady Gower smiled down at her from the height of her many years.

"Wait," she said dryly, "you are very young now--and very rich;
every one is crowding to give you pleasure, to show his
admiration. You are a very fortunate girl. But later, these
things which some man has done because he loved you, and which
you call foolish, will grow large in your life, and shine out
strongly, and when you are discouraged and alone, you will take
them out, and the memory of them will make you proud and happy.
They are the honors which women wear in secret."

Helen came back to town in September, and for the first few days
was so occupied in refurnishing her studio and in visiting the
shops that she neglected to send Carroll word of her return.
When she found that a whole week had passed without her having
made any effort to see him, and appreciated how the fact would