Tales and Novels, vol 10 | Page 7

yet been read. They were in Lady Cecilia's handwriting--a
postscript.
"I forgot, dear Helen, the thing that is most essential, (you remember
our friend Dumont's definition of une betîse: c'est d'oublier la chose
essentielle;) I forgot to tell you that the general declares he will not
hear of a mere visit from you. He bids me tell you that it must be 'till
death or marriage.' So, my dear friend, you must make up your mind in
short to live with us till you find a General Clarendon of your own. To
this postscript no reply--silence gives consent."
"If I had seen this!" said Helen, as she laid it before Mr. and Mrs.

Collingwood, "I ought to have answered, but, indeed, I never saw it;"
she sprang forward instantly to ring the bell, exclaiming, "It is time
yet--stop the boy--'silence gives consent.' I must write. I cannot leave
you, my dear friends, in this way. I did not see that postscript, believe
me I did not."
They believed her, they thanked her, but they would not let her ring the
bell; they said she had better not bind herself in any way either to
themselves or to Lady Cecilia. Accept of the present invitation she
must--she must go to see her friend on her marriage; she must take
leave of her dear Lady Davenant before her departure.
"They are older friends than we are," said Mr. Collingwood, "they have
the first claim upon you; but let us think of it as only a visit now. As to
a residence for life, that you can best judge of for yourself after you
have been some time at Clarendon Park; if you do not like to remain
there, you know how gladly we shall welcome you here again, my child;
or, if you decide to live with those you have known so long and loved
so much, we cannot be offended at your choice,"
This generous kindness, this freedom from jealous susceptibility,
touched Helen's heart, and increased her agitation. She could not bear
the thoughts of either the reality or appearance of neglecting these kind
good people, the moment she had other prospects, and frequently in all
the hurry of her preparations, she repeated, "It will only be a visit at
Clarendon Park. I will return to you, I shall write to you, my dear Mrs.
Collingwood, at all events, constantly."
When Mr. Collingwood gave her his parting blessing he reminded her
of his warning about her fortune. Mrs. Collingwood reminded her of
her promise to write. The carriage drove from the door. Helen's heart
was full of the friends she was leaving, but by degrees the agitation of
the parting subsided, her tears ceased, her heart grew lighter, and the
hopes of seeing her friends at Clarendon Park arose bright in her mind,
and her thoughts all turned upon Cecilia, and Lady Davenant.
CHAPTER III.

Helen looked eagerly out of the carriage-window for the first view of
Clarendon Park. It satisfied--it surpassed her expectations. It was a fine,
aristocratic place:--ancestral trees, and a vast expanse of park; herds of
deer, yellow and dark, or spotted, their heads appearing in the distance
just above the fern, or grazing near, startled as the carriage passed.
Through the long approach, she caught various views of the house,
partly gothic, partly of modern architecture; it seemed of great extent
and magnificence.
All delightful so far; but now for her own reception. Her breath grew
quick and quicker as she came near and nearer to the house. Some one
was standing on the steps. Was it General Clarendon? No; only a
servant. The carriage stopped, more servants appeared, and as Helen
got out, a very sublime-looking personage informed her, that "Lady
Cecilia and the General were out riding--only in the park--would be in
immediately."
And as she crossed the great hall, the same sublime person informed
her that there would be still an hour before dinner-time, and inquired
whether she would be pleased to be shown to her own apartment, or to
the library? Helen felt chilled and disappointed, because this was not
exactly the way she had expected things would be upon her arrival. She
had pictured to herself Cecilia running to meet her in the hall.
Without answering the groom of the chambers, she asked, "Is Lady
Davenant out too?"
"No; her ladyship is in the library."
"To the library then."
And through the antechamber she passed rapidly, impatient of a
momentary stop of her conductor to open the folding-doors, while a
man, with a letter-box in hand, equally impatient, begged that Lady
Davenant might be told, "The General's express was waiting."
Lady Davenant was sealing letters in great haste for this express, but
when the door opened, and she saw Helen, she threw wax and