"There's something going on," thought Helen. "She's a deep one, with
all her quiet piety; but she shall never stand between me and my aims.
I have read one will--I shall not sleep until I read the other." Then,
turning to May, she spoke aloud. "It will suit me better to be down
stairs; I am so very nervous, that I am a poor nurse;" and glad to be
released from a scene too uncongenial to her nature and feelings, she
hastily withdrew.




CHAPTER XIV.

THE SECRET SIN.

"This is shocking news, Walter!" said Mrs. Jerrold to her son, when he
imparted to her the news of Mr. Stillinghast's illness. "Do you
know--has he--did he send--"

"I don't know, indeed," said the young man, abstractly.

"I mean, has he altered his will?" said the lady, speaking out.

"I do not know; Helen tells me that a lawyer has been with him, and a
priest."

"A priest!" shrieked the lady. "Order the carriage instantly, Walter;
I must see Helen."