with much too, that was desirable and good; and if there had crept into her heart the vague thought that a life with such people as Mrs. Banker and those who frequented her house would be preferable to a life in Silverton, where only Morris understood her, it was but the natural result of daily intercourse with one who had studied to please and interest as Mark Ray had done.  But Helen had too much good sense and strength of will long to indulge in what she would have called “love-sick regrets” in others, and she began to devise the best course for her to adopt hereafter, concluding finally to treat him much as she had done, lest he should suspect how deeply she had been wounded.  Now that she knew of his engagement, it would be an easy matter, she thought, so to demean herself as neither to annoy Juno nor really to vex him.  Thoroughly now she understood why Juno Cameron had seemed to dislike her so much.

“It is natural,” she said, “and yet I honestly believe I like her better for knowing what I do.  There must be some good beneath that proud exterior, or Mark would never seek her.”

Still, look at it from any point she chose, it seemed a strange, unsuitable match, and Helen’s heart ached sadly as she finally retired to rest, thinking what might have been had Juno Cameron found some other lover more like her than Mark could ever be.

CHAPTER XXIII.

GENEVRA.

Far more elated with her sister’s success than Helen herself, Katy could talk of little else next morning, telling Helen how many complimentary things Wilford had said of her, and how much he had heard others say, while Mark Ray had seemed perfectly fascinated.

“I never thought till last night how nice it would be for you to marry Mark and settle in New York,” Katy said, never dreaming how she was wounding Helen, who, but for Mrs. Cameron’s charge, would have proclaimed Mark’s engagement with Juno.

As it was, she felt the words struggling against her lips; but she forced them back, and tried to laugh at Katy’s castles in the air, as she called them.

“You looked beautiful, Wilford said,” Katy continued, “and I am so glad, only,” and Katy’s voice fell, while her eyes rested upon the crib where the baby was sleeping, “only I think Wilford is more anxious than ever for me to go again into society.  He will not hear of my staying home for the entire season, as I wish to do, for baby is better to me than all the parties in the world.  I am so tired of it all, and have been ever since I was at Newport.  I was so vain and silly there, and I have been so sorry since.  But that summer cured me entirely, and you don’t know how I loathe the very thought of entering society again.  For your sake I should be willing to go sometimes, if there were no one else.  But Mrs. Banker has kindly offered to take you under her charge, and so there is no necessity for me to matronize you.”