Helen Lorrington. Accomplished young widow, Anne Douglas’s intimate friend. She is the semi-betrothed of Ward Heathcote, who nevertheless considers himself free to woo Anne. After many complications, Heathcote, believing Anne already married becomes Helen’s husband. The latter is murdered a year or two later under circumstances that cast suspicion upon Heathcote. Through Anne’s efforts and testimony he is acquitted[acquitted], and finally marries her.—Constance Fennimore Woolson, Anne (1882).
Helen (Lady), in love with Sir Edward Mortimer. Her uncle insulted Sir Edward in a county assembly, struck him down, and trampled on him. Sir Edward, returning home, encountered the drunken ruffian and murdered him. He was tried for the crime, and acquitted “without a stain upon his character;” but the knowledge of the deed preyed upon his mind so that he could not marry the niece of the murdered man. After leading a life of utter wretchedness, Sir Edward told Helen that he was the murderer of her uncle, and died.—G. Colman, The Iron Chest (1796).
Helen [Mowbray], in love with Walsingham. “Of all grace the pattern—person, feature, mind, heart, everything as nature had essayed to frame a work where none could find a flaw.” Allured by Lord Athunree to a house of ill-fame, under pretence of doing a work of charity, she was seen by Walsingham as she came out, and he abandoned her as a wanton. She then assumed male attire, with the name of Eustace. Walsingham became her friend, was told that Eustace was Helen’s brother, and finally discovered that Eustace was Helen herself. The mystery being cleared up, they became man and wife.—S. Knowles, Woman’s Wit, etc. (1838).
Helen’s Fire (feu d’Hélène), a comazant called “St. Helme’s” or “St. Elmo’s fire” by the Spaniards; the “fires of St. Peter and St. Nicholas” by the Italians; and “Castor and Pollux” by the ancient Romans. This electric light will sometimes play about the masts of ships. If only one appears, foul weather may be looked for; but if two or more flames appear, the worst of the storm is over.
Helen (Rolleston), heroine of Charles Reade’s novel, Foul Play. She is betrothed to Wardlaw, chief villain of the story, and sets out on a sea-voyage to restore her health; is shipwrecked and cast on an island with Herbert Penfold. After their return to England, she rights the wronged Penfold, and punishes Wardlaw.
Helen, wife of John Ward, Preacher. Her husband is a Calvinist of a pronounced type; she a believer in Universal Salvation. The spiritual agonies to which they are subjected by the difference in creeds, separate them for a while and are the moving cause of John Ward’s death. He passes away, convinced that “his death is to be the climax of God’s plans for her.”—Margaret Deland, John Ward, Preacher (1888).
Hel´ena (St.), daughter of Coel, duke Colchester, and afterwards king of Britain. She married Constantius (a Roman senator, who succeeded “Old King Cole”), and became the mother of Constantine the Great. Constantius died at York (a.d. 306). Helena is said to have discovered at Jerusalem the sepulchre and cross of Jesus Christ.—Geoffrey, British History v. 6 (1142).
⁂ This legend is told of the Colchester arms, which consist of a cross and three crowns (two atop and one at the foot of the cross).
At a considerable depth beneath the surface of the earth were found three crosses which were instantly recognized as those on which Christ and the two thieves had suffered death. To ascertain which was the true cross, a female corpse was placed on all three alternately; the two first tried produced no effect, but the third instantly reanimated the body.—J. Brady, Clavis Calendaria, 181.
Herself in person went to seek that holy cross