In the spring the family went to the fine old country-house just out of town, and here Christie and her charge led a freer, happier life.  Walking and driving, boating and gardening, with pleasant days on the wide terrace, where Helen swung idly in her hammock, while Christie read or talked to her; and summer twilights beguiled with music, or the silent reveries more eloquent than speech, which real friends may enjoy together, and find the sweeter for the mute companionship.

Harry was with them, and devoted to his sister, who seemed slowly to be coming out of her sad gloom, won by patient tenderness and the cheerful influences all about her.

Christie’s heart was full of pride and satisfaction, as she saw the altered face, heard the tone of interest in that once hopeless voice, and felt each day more sure that Helen had outlived the loss that seemed to have broken her heart.

Alas, for Christie’s pride, for Harry’s hope, and for poor Helen’s bitter fate!  When all was brightest, the black shadow came; when all looked safest, danger was at hand; and when the past seemed buried, the ghost which haunted it returned, for the punishment of a broken law is as inevitable as death.

When settled in town again Bella came home, a gay, young girl, who should have brought sunshine and happiness into her home.  But from the hour she returned a strange anxiety seemed to possess the others.  Mrs. Carrol watched over her with sleepless care, was evidently full of maternal pride in the lovely creature, and began to dream dreams about her future.  She seemed to wish to keep the sisters apart, and said to Christie, as if to explain this wish: 

“Bella was away when Helen’s trouble and illness came, she knows very little of it, and I do not want her to be saddened by the knowledge.  Helen cares only for Hal, and Bella is too young to be of any use to my poor girl; therefore the less they see of each other the better for both.  I am sure you agree with me?” she added, with that covert scrutiny which Christie had often felt before.

She could but acquiesce in the mother’s decision, and devote herself more faithfully than ever to Helen, who soon needed all her care and patience, for a terrible unrest grew upon her, bringing sleepless nights again, moody days, and all the old afflictions with redoubled force.

Bella “came out” and began her career as a beauty and a belle most brilliantly.  Harry was proud of her, but seemed jealous of other men’s admiration for his charming sister, and would excite both Helen and himself over the flirtations into which “that child” as they called her, plunged with all the zest of a light-hearted girl whose head was a little turned with sudden and excessive adoration.

In vain Christie begged Harry not to report these things, in vain she hinted that Bella had better not come to show herself to Helen night after night in all the dainty splendor of her youth and beauty; in vain she asked Mrs. Carrol to let her go away to some quieter place with Helen, since she never could be persuaded to join in any gayety at home or abroad.  All seemed wilful, blind, or governed by the fear of the gossiping world.  So the days rolled on till an event occurred which enlightened Christie, with startling abruptness, and showed her the skeleton that haunted this unhappy family.