it? I suppose you think she found it easier because you broke it to
her. I must say, William, flatly and frankly, that I think a nice
woman would rather have a woman near her when she is in trouble, than
a man. I was very tired, but I was perfectly willing to remain. Well!
what relation was this F.? A cousin?"

"Why, I don't know," the doctor confessed blankly; "she didn't say,
and it never occurred to me to ask; and--"

"Well, upon my word!" said Martha King.




CHAPTER XXI


Helena stood breathing quickly; it was as if she had been smothering,
and suddenly felt free air. She was alone. The people--the terrible,
persistently friendly, suffocating people, were gone! She could draw a
full breath; she could face her own blazing fact; ... _Frederick was
dead._

She was walking back and forth, staring with unseeing eyes at the
confusion of the room--chairs pulled out from their accustomed places;
two card-tables with a litter of cards and counters; the astral-lamp
burning low on the rosewood table that was cluttered with old
daguerreotypes belonging to the house. The dining-room door was ajar,
and as she passed it she had a glimpse of the empty disorder of the
room, and could hear her two women moving about, carrying off plates