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Leonard was shown into the drawing-room, and it so chanced that Helen was there alone. The girl's soft face was sadly changed, even since Leonard had seen it last; for the grief of natures mild and undemonstrative as hers, gnaws with quick ravages; but at Leonard's unexpected entrance, the colour rushed so vividly to the pale cheeks that its hectic might be taken for the lustre of bloom and health. She rose hurriedly, and in great confusion faltered out, "that she believed Lady Lansmere was in her room, -- she would go for her," and moved towards the door, without seeming to notice the hand tremulously held forth to her; when Leonard exclaimed in uncontrollable emotions which pierced to her very heart, in the keen accent of reproach, --
"Oh, Miss Digby -- oh, Helen -- is it thus that you greet me, -- rather thus that you shun me? Could I have foreseen this when we two orphans stood by the mournful bridge, -- so friendless, so desolate, and so clinging each to each? Happy time! " He seized her hand suddenly as he spoke the last words, and bowed his face over it.