PART II
CHAPTER 25
A CRISIS
To do Cyril justice, it will be only fair to say that he experienced no slight pang at parting with his pretty little future wife for one day only, for, cruel and hardened as he had become, he had a deep and undying love for Helen in the bottom of his heart.
"What a dear she is," he muttered to himself, as the hansom disappeared round the corner, "and what a beast I am; I've deceived her all these months and I am still doing so. If it hadn't been for that villain Palsey, I'd have told her long ago, but now I can't, it's too late—too late," and thus making himself miserable and uneasy, Cyril entered his office to give the customary orders, and then prepared to walk to Picadilly.
Leaving Cyril, we must now follow Helen to Holburn station. The train was in as she reached the station, and she had a rush for it; but she succeeded in securing a fairly comfortable seat in a third class carriage with only three people in it besides herself.
Having made some notes in her pocket book, she proceeded to read "Pearson's Weekly," and soon became engrossed in its contents. By the time the train stopped at Richmond, the carriage was empty, and Helen was loth to leave her comfortable seat. Seizing her umbrella, she jumped blithely on to the platform, and glanced quickly at every passenger. No, Gladys had certainly not come to meet her. Giving up her ticket, she found herself on the open platform, and ordering a cab, she got in, telling the man to drive to number 8, Down Terrace. She then lent back, determined to enjoy everything that came under her notice. "It seems a big place" she said, as she drove through the crowded High Street of Richmond, halting every now and then to let a dust cart or some other vehicle pass over them.
At last the Terrace Gardens came in view and Helen knew it would not be long before the cab stopped.
She was right; just then it stopped in front of a row of large well built houses and having paid her fare Helen ran up the steps and rang the bell.