His eye fell upon Helen Grahame, and he paused.
His face betrayed an aspect of intense amazement; then his eye ran rapidly round upon the countenances of all there. Another instant, and he had recovered his self-possession. He went on speaking.
“To waive the usual observances in my favour, and admit me at any hour I might be able to reach here.”
A few words of vapid nothings, and Lester seated himself before his wine, that he might more quietly and coolly examine the vision before him, and learn, if possible, the cause of her being here, where, after his interview with her at the humble lodgings, he least of all expected to meet her.
He had been soundly thrashed by Bantom; but, though he was confined for a week to his chamber, he had got over it; without, however, as yet discovering the individual who had subjected him to the outrage.
Once his eyes and Helen’s met; but there was an expression in her bright orbs which he could not bear unmoved, and he looked away from her.
Suddenly Mrs. Grahame rose from her seat, and prepared to quit the room. The gentlemen rose up too.
The mother seemed to shrink and totter as she passed the child, at whom only she had looked once since she entered, but to whom she had not uttered a word. Margaret would have haughtily, though hastily, followed her, but that Helen, with an imperial bearing, stood before her, and compelled her to halt while she took her place, as the eldest daughter, next to her mother.
The incident was but momentary, and might have been considered accidental, but for the decisive action and even grand bearing of Helen, whiter still from the insult her sister Margaret would have publicly forced upon her. Every one observed it, and the sympathy of the guests at least was with her.
They passed out of the room. Mrs. Grahame hurrying to her own chamber, and fastening herself within, as if in fear that Helen should seek her there. Margaret copied her example, but Helen went only where she wished to go—to Evangeline’s room—to have a few loving words with her youngest sister, before she took her leave of her home for ever.