Sir Horace Mortimer’s stay with them, opened a fresh field for Mrs. Falkner’s speculations, and not being either so fastidious or clear-sighted as his cousin George, Sir Horace, at one time, bid fair to set the former an example.

They were all assembled at Dr. Sherman’s a few nights after Mr. Mortimer’s return, when Sir Horace was introduced, to Helen.  He almost started, but said nothing; however his eyes were so completely riveted on her, that he became quite absent—­in short, his fixed gaze became painful.  Dr. Sherman was, during the evening, called to the door, when he received a parcel from London, carriage paid, which the man said he had promised to place in the Doctor’s own hand.  The worthy man wondering from whom it could possibly come, retired to his own room and opened it.  It contained Mrs. Willoughby’s portrait and the pocket book; the latter he locked up carefully; the former he was carrying to Helen:  who being engaged with Mrs. Sherman in the adjoining room, he showed it to Sir Horace Mortimer, with whom he had just been conversing about Helen, and her orphan charge.

“Can it be possible,” said he “or do my eyes deceive me?”

The Doctor looked inquiringly, but Sir Horace said no more.  At last he went up to the Doctor, and asked if Helen was expecting the arrival of the miniature?  Dr. Sherman replied, she knew it was safe, but was quite uncertain when it might arrive.

“Then my dear sir, would you trust me with it till to-morrow morning? when I will restore it at an early hour,” I would not ask, but for very particular reasons, connected it may be, of much moment to that dear girl:  if as I strongly suspect, I have seen that miniature before, there is a secret and very minute spring, which I could not well ascertain without my glasses.  Believe me, my dear Doctor, I have very cogent reasons for my request, and I feel no common interest in Miss Willoughby:  but we are attracting the notice of those people I am staying with, who are not at all friendly disposed towards her; in fact, they have done all in their power to prejudice me against her.

The Doctor marvelled much at the request; but readily acceeded to it—­and then both he and Sir Horace Mortimer, joined in the general conversation.

When the little party broke up, Sir Horace Mortimer undertook to be Helen’s escort, and offered her his arm.  Miss Falkner having come with him, quietly took the other.  When they reached Helen’s abode, which was in the way to Falkner Villa, at parting, Sir Horace requested permission to call and see her at an hour he named next day, and she promised to be ready.

“Will you send your young brother for me?  I have heard much of him; and must make his acquaintance.”

“Oh,” said Miss Falkner, “we are going to call at the cottage to-morrow, and I will be your guide.  We have long been intending to pay a visit to Miss Willoughby, mamma is anxious to apologize for some little misunderstanding.”  Helen tried to speak, but her words could find no utterance, in reply to the impertinent speech of Miss Falkner, but shaking Sir Horace warmly by the hand, she bowed and went into her home.