"Have you ever thought what it might be?"
Helen's attention was caught by a certain tone in her friend's voice. She raised her eyes questioningly:
"No, dear; I wish I had a clew."
"Suppose I should give you one?"
There was genuine surprise in Helen's face. She answered with a tenderness in her voice which gave her companion a pang.
"Why, Lillian, do you know of anything to make Jean unhappy?"
Miss Stuart lifted her head as if to strengthen her purpose, wondering at the sudden weakness in herself which made the words so hard to say:
"Your sister is in love with Mr. Farr."
"Oh!" gasped Helen, staring blankly at her friend.
"I only wonder you have not seen it before," added Miss Stuart coolly.