‘I mean, my dear Helen,’ exclaimed Elizabeth, hardly knowing what she was saying, ’that I have been using you shamefully ever since you came home.  I have done nothing but contradict you, and snap at you, whether right or wrong; and a pretty spectacle we must have made of ourselves.  Now I see that you have twice the sense and understanding that I have, and are so unpretending as to be worth a hundred times more.  I wish with all my heart that I had taken your advice, and that the Mechanics’ Institute was at the bottom of the sea.’

Before Helen had recovered from her astonishment at this incoherent speech, sufficiently to make any sort of reply, the rest of the party were seen returning from St. Austin’s, and Winifred and Edward hastened towards the two sisters, to tell them all the wonders they had seen.

During the remainder of that day, a few words in her mother’s feeble voice rung in Elizabeth’s ears more painfully even than the text she had mentioned the day before.  It was, ’Lizzie, I know you will be a kind sister to Kate and poor little Helen.’

In the course of the evening, Lady Merton found Anne and Helen alone together in the drawing-room.  Helen was reclining on the sofa, in a dreamy state, her book half closed in her hand, and Anne was sitting at the window, reading as well as she could by the failing light.

‘So you are alone here,’ said Lady Merton, as she entered the room.

‘Yes,’ said Helen, starting up; ’I rather think the Hazlebys are packing up—­you know they go by the one o’clock train to-morrow—­and I believe Kate is helping them; and Mamma is hearing the little ones say the Catechism.’

‘So I thought,’ said Lady Merton.  ’I was surprised to find you here.’

‘Oh!’ said Helen, ’we generally say the Catechism to Papa every Sunday evening, and he asks us questions about it; and we are to go on with him till we are confirmed.’

‘And when will that be?’ said her aunt.

‘Next spring,’ said Helen; ’we shall all three of us be confirmed at the same time.  But if Mrs. Hazleby had not been here, Papa would have heard us all down-stairs.  I should have liked for you to hear how perfect Edward is now, and how well Dora answers Papa’s questions; though perhaps before you she would be too shy.’

‘And I should have been glad for Anne to have joined you,’ said Lady Merton; ‘it is long since your godfather has heard you, Anne.’

‘Not since we were here last,’ said Anne, ’and that is almost two years ago.’

‘And where is Lizzie?’ said Lady Merton; ‘is she with your Mamma?’

‘No,’ said Helen, ’her other work is not over yet.  On Sunday evening, she always reads with four great girls who have left school, and have no time to learn except on Sunday evenings.  I am sure I cannot think how she can; I should have thought morning and afternoon school quite enough for anyone!’ And she threw herself back on the sofa, and gave a very long yawn.