Staunton for asking her. She has come
back quite a different creature, and can speak of nothing but the
kindness of her friends at Dykelands.'
Here the conversation dropped for a minute or two, for Lady Morton
found it difficult to reply. Mrs. Staunton had lived in the village
where Merton Hall was situated, and where both Lady Merton and her
sister-in-law had spent their childhood. She had been much attached
to Mrs. Woodbourne, and was Helen's godmother; but having settled in
a distant county, had scarcely kept up any intercourse with the
Woodbourne family since her friend's death, though constantly
corresponding with Lady Merton, and occasionally writing and sending
presents to her little god-daughter. Chancing however to come to
London on business, she had written to Mr. Woodbourne to beg him to
bring Helen to meet her there, and allow her to take her back with
her into Lincolnshire to spend some time with her and her daughters.
Mr. Woodbourne, knowing that his wife had esteemed her very highly,
complied after a little deliberation. Helen's visit had lasted
longer than at first proposed, and she only returned home, after an
absence of five months, just in time to wish her little brother
farewell, on his departure for school, a few weeks before the
Consecration of St.
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