"It is a great trial, my love; particularly from your being alone; but try to conquer this emotion. I would rather see you cry, Helen. You know this affliction has been long expected by us all, my love."
"No, I didn't expect it, didn't believe it. How could I think the butcher would send in the execution men, when mamma is so ill? when I know there is money in her desk?—plenty of money."
"Oh! it is only money matters, after all. Don't frighten yourself, Helen."
The sound of Mr. Palmer's voice gave her sudden comfort; she sprang to her feet, turned towards the table, and met the earnest gaze of Lord Meersbrook. Shame, deep, distressing shame—a sense of her family respectability being blighted for ever, her faint hopes crushed, her heart broken, fell upon her; the room turned round—the pulses lately beating so violently suddenly stood still, and she fell with such utter lifelessness, that she might have been much hurt, if she had not been caught in the large folds of Mr. Palmer's dressing-gown, which broke her fall and left her head upon his slipper.
But his were not the hands that raised her with all a mother's tenderness, and gazed in mingled fear
