The Judgment of Helen (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX Patty rose to go in search of her cousin. She looked into the drawing-room, then into the dining-room, and finally went up-stairs. There she found Helen, walking rather excitedly about her bedroom. Patty put on a solemn expression, though the corners of her mouth twitched. "Auntie has sent me for you," she exclaimed. "What for?" demanded Helen, a little rebelliously. "I fancy you will know if you search your mind," said Patty, taking her hands. "Well, I suppose I must go," sighed Helen, after a moment's hesitation, and she opened the door. Probably she had never descended the stairs quite so slowly and unwillingly in her life. Aware that her behaviour was open to misinterpretation, she dreaded the pending interview, and stopping at the foot of the stairs, Helen begged her cousin not to desert her. She entered the workroom with a poor attempt at courage. "Did you want me, Mother?" she asked as Patty closed the door. Helen raised her eyebrows with a provoking expression of perfect ingenuousness, which, however, was rather the result of nervousness than of defiance. It served to kindle Mrs. Christopherson's anger. She had intended to handle the matter diplomatically, fearing, above all things, to provoke her daughter to a confession better unspoken. But anger took complete possession of her. ' I wonder you are not ashamed to look into my face," she cried. "I am not ashamed of anything." "Then you ought to be," Mrs. Christopherson retorted. "Your conduct is perfectly disgraceful." "Will you tell me what I have done?" asked Helen. "You have deceived me outrageously." "How have I deceived you, mother?" said Helen, and Patty now stepped to the front. "Darling," she murmured, " Auntie fancies you have been a little too--too friendly to Maurice.' "Hele...