The little lady had not only won this place for herself by the sweet and selfless gift which was her natural endowment; she was becoming the practical helper of everybody, of Mrs. Mawson in the house, of old Fenn in the garden, even of Buntingford himself, who was gradually falling into the habit of letting her copy important letters for him, and keep some order in the library. She was not in the least clever or accomplished; but her small fingers seemed to have magic in them; and her good will was inexhaustible.
Helena had grown amazingly fond of her. She appealed to something maternal and protecting in the girl's strong nature. Since her mother's death, there had been a big streak of loneliness in Helena's heart, though she would have suffered tortures rather than confess it; and little Lucy Friend's companionship filled a void. She must needs respect Lucy's conscience, Lucy's instincts had more than once shamed her own.
"What are you going to wear to-night?" said Mrs. Friend, softly smoothing back the brown hair from the girl's hot brow.
Lucy Friend smiled, as though already she had a vision of the full-dress result.
"That'll be delicious," she said, with enthusiasm.
The girl spoke half wistfully, half defiantly, her eyes fixed on Lucy.
"I asked that question before I had seen you."
"Of whom?" said Helena eagerly. "You didn't see anybody but Cousin Philip before I arrived. Tell me, Lucy--tell me at once."
Mrs. Friend kept a smiling silence for a minute. At last she said--"Lord Buntingford showed me a portrait of you before you arrived."
"A portrait of me? There isn't one in the house! Lucy, you deceiver, what do you mean?"
"The Romney? No! And I've been showing it to everybody as the loveliest thing going!"
"I don't know why I should be flattered. She was a horrid minx. That no doubt was what the likeness consisted in!"
Mrs. Friend laughed, but said nothing. Helena rose from the grass, pausing to say as she turned towards the house:
"We're going to dance in the drawing-room, Mawson says. They've cleared it."
Helena assented. "Let me see--" she added slowly--"this is the third dance, isn't it, since I came?"
"I don't think we need have another"--the tone was decided, almost impatient--"at least when this party's over."