Talbot offered his arm and led her to a seat , behind which stood a little statuette of a child holding a fawn by a daisy chain . `` Pretty , is n't it ? '' she said , as he paused to look at it instead of taking the chair before her . `` I used to enjoy modeling tiny deer and hinds in wax , as well as making daisy chains . Is sculpture among the many accomplishments which rumor tells us you possess ? '' `` No . Those who , like me , have their own fortunes to mold find time for little else , '' he answered gravely , still examining the marble group . Lillian broke her fan with an angry flirt , for she was tired of her trial , and wished she had openly greeted him at the beginning ; feeling now how pleasant it would have been to sit chatting of old times , while her friends dared hardly address him at all . She was on the point of calling him by his former name , when the remembrance of what he had been arrested the words on her lips . He was proud ; would he not dread to have it known that , in his days of adversity , he had been a servant ? For if she betrayed her knowledge of his past , she would be forced to tell where and how that knowledge was gained . No , better wait till they met alone , she thought ; he would thank her for her delicacy , and she could easily explain her motive . He evidently wished to seem a stranger , for once she caught a gleam of the old , mirthful mischief in his eye , as she glanced up unexpectedly . He did remember her , she was sure , yet was trying her , perhaps , as she tried him . Well , she would stand the test and enjoy the joke by-and-by . With this fancy in her head she assumed a gracious air and chatted away in her most charming style , feeling both gay and excited , so anxious was she to please , and so glad to recover her early friend . A naughty whim seized her as her eye fell on a portfolio of classical engravings which someone had left in disorder on a table near her . Tossing them over she asked his opinion of several , and then handed him one in which Helen of Troy was represented as giving her hand to the irresistible Paris . `` Do you think her worth so much bloodshed , and deserving so much praise ? '' she asked , vainly trying to conceal the significant smile that would break loose on her lips and sparkle in her eyes .
XXXXX laughed the short , boyish laugh so familiar to her ears , as he glanced from the picture to the arch questioner , and answered in a tone that made her heart beat with a nameless pain and pleasure , so full of suppressed ardor was it : `` Yes !
Helen Lillian Paris Talbot by-and-by days fawn hinds left statuette