But Helen had to keep that thought and dwell upon it in solitude; there was no chance for her to talk with Mr. Howard any more, for she heard her aunt’s step in the hall behind her.  She had only time to say, “I am going home myself this afternoon; will you come there to see me, Mr. Howard?  I cannot tell you how much pleasure it would give me.”

“There is nothing I should like to do more,” the man answered; “I hope to keep your friendship.  “When would you like me to come?”

“Any time that you can,” replied Helen.  “Come soon, for I know how unhappy I shall be.”

That was practically the last word she said to Mr. Howard, for her aunt joined them, and after that the conversation was formal.  It was not very long before the carriage came for him, and Helen pressed his hand gratefully at parting, and stood leaning against a pillar of the porch, shading her eyes from the sun while she watched the carriage depart.  Then she sat down to wait for it to return from the depot for her, which it did before long; and so she bid farewell to her aunt.

It was a great relief to Helen; and while we know not what emotions it may cause to the reader, it is perhaps well to say that he may likewise pay his last respects to the worthy matron, who will not take part in the humble events of which the rest of our story must be composed.

For Helen was going home, home to the poor little parsonage of Oakdale!  She was going with a feeling of relief in her heart second only to her sorow; the more she had come to feel how shallow and false was the splendor that had allured her, the more she had found herself drawn to her old home, with its memories that were so dear and so beautiful.  She felt that there she might at least think of Arthur all that she chose, and meet with nothing to affront her grief; and also she found herself thinking of her father’s love with a new kind of hunger.

When she arrived, she found Mr. Davis waiting for her with a very anxious look upon his countenance; he had stopped at Hilltown on his way, and learned about Arthur’s disappearance, and then heard from Elizabeth what she knew about Helen’s engagement.  The girl flung herself into his arms, and afterwards, quite overcome by the emotions that surged up within her, sank down upon her knees before him and sobbed out the whole story, her heart bursting with sorrow and contrition; as he lifted her up and kissed her and whispered his beautiful words of pardon and comfort, Helen found it a real homecoming indeed.

Mr. Davis was also able to calm her worry a little by telling her that he did not think it possible that Arthur would keep his whereabouts secret from him very long.  “When I find him, dear child,” he said, “it will all be well again, for we will believe in love, you and I, and not care what the great world says about it.  I think I could be well content that you should marry our dear Arthur.”

“But, father, I do not love him,” put in Helen faintly.