"Dear me no" replied Gladys "I took jolly good care he should'nt, so I bolted into a confectioners to escape him, where I had to go to the trouble of buying a bath bun; but anything was better than not seeing you."

"Dont be sarcastic" returned Helen hotly "you dont treasure me as much as that."

"Dont I?" cried Gladys "when I wanted to see you, I was not going to be snubbed by an insolent clerk, I would have braved him even if you had not come though I thank my stars you did come all the same, it is very degrading to be seen arguing with a common city clerk."

"So I should imagine" replied Helen "I cant say I have ever been in the same strait myself; I am on very good terms with both Netherby and Wilson."

"Are you?" said Gladys "which do you like best."

"Well you see Netherby is rather alarmed at me" replied Helen "since I blew him up for attempting to touch the organ without leave; but then he is more to be trusted than Wilson, who thinks nothing of breaking his word, telling stories etc: Cyril has often thought of dismissing him only he is very sharp and a good writer I belive."

"Well Helen can you suggest any plan for me" asked Gladys "I cant marry James that is certain, but I cant go home and tell him that to his face can I?"

"Hardly" said Helen "if I were you I should go home, and dont say a word to Mr. Palsey, and write at once to your parents, telling them all you know as soon as you get a reply write and let me know and I will endeavour to come up and see you and we can arrange some plans; of course get Mr. Palsey out of the way before you ask me."

"Oh yes" said Gladys "that is easily done, but mind you dont tell Mr.

Sheene you have seen me today nor dont tell him you are coming to see me either."

"Oh no" replied Helen "I'll merely say I am going to Richmond for a trip, he does not know you live there."

"Then that is settled" replied Gladys with a sigh of relief "what time do you expect Mr. Sheene home?"

"Not till quite late" said Helen "you must stay to lunch."

"Thank you" said Gladys "I shall be delighted."

So Helen rang the bell and when Alice answered it she ordered dinner for two in a most bussiness like way.

Having made a good lunch, Gladys put on her things and got ready to start.

"You must not walk again" said Helen "I'll call a hansom," so saying she opened the front door and gave a soft whistle. In a minute a hansom drove up to the door and Helen helped her friend in.

"Goodbye Gladys" she said "dont forget to write and let me know directly you here from Norfolk and I'll come up if I can."

"No, I'll be sure to write" responded Gladys "thank you so much Helen for all your kindness," and with a wave of her hand Gladys was driven rapidly away in the direction of Holburn Station, while Helen returned to the sitting room, a great weight lifted from her heart.

CHAPTER 23

CYRIL'S RETURN AND THE PROMISED VISIT

It was past ten before Cyril returned home very wet and cross into the bargin.

Helen saw at a glance what she might expect, so she carefully made up the fire and set a nice hot supper on the table.

"How tired you look dear" she said as she helped him off with his over coat.

"Well I suppose I do" replied Cyril crossly.

"Did you find your friend at home?" enquired Helen.

"Yes I did" said Cyril hastily pouring out his beer.

"Well that's all right" said Helen cheerily putting a lump of coal on the fire.

"No it's not all right" replied Cyril "for pity's sake leave that fire alone, I'm not going to sit up all night."

Helen smiled "have you a tooth ache dear" she asked.

"No I've not" said Cyril "look here Helen, have you seen a little card about the floor today?"

"Yes dear" replied Helen "a little Xmas card, that Mrs. Gingham sent you last year."

"Oh yes" said Cyril, trying to look as though that was what he meant "where did you put it?"

"In the desk dear" replied Helen producing a faded little card, which in an ordinary moment Cyril would have tossed into the fire, but now he carefully placed it in his note book.

"By the way Helen," said Cyril "I find I must go to Piccadilly again tomorrow as I did not get through my bussiness today, have breakfast at 8-30 will you?"

"Yes dear" replied Helen, and after saying goodnight to him, she put out the lamp, taking care to drop the p.a.w.n ticket, (which had been in her pocket all this time) on the hearth rug, where she had found it.

Helen slept very soundly indeed and she therefore was awake early. She got dressed quickly, and went down to the sitting room.

Pulling up the blind she glanced quickly round the room. The ticket still lay where she had dropped it; Cyril had evidently not been down.

By a quarter to 9 he made his appearance.

"Now Helen hurry up with the tea!" he cried "it is getting late."

"That's no fault of mine" replied Helen quietly "time will fly you know."

"Who said it would'nt?" asked Cyril snappishly, sitting down in the grumps.

"Why on earth does'nt Marshland send up the silver tea pot?" asked Helen artfully "I hate this old brown china concern; I'll ring for the other; and the sugar bowl too."

"No, no please dont," cried Cyril nervously "I really cant wait."

"Well if it is'nt sent up tonight I shall make a row about it" replied Helen crossly "I cant bear keeping the silver for special occasions."

Cyril did not notice the ticket so Helen went and picked it up, "what's this?" she asked curiously.

"What's what?" asked Cyril turning sharply round.

"This little card" said Helen.

"Oh that's mine" replied Cyril "I'll put it in my pocket if you give it here."