`` No , Mamma , it 's only a foolish trouble of my own , '' answered Lillian , with a glance of surprise and a shamefaced look as the words reluctantly left her lips . `` Ah , a love trouble , nothing more ? Thank God for that ! '' And my lady sank back as if a load was off her mind . `` Tell me all , my darling ; there is no confidante like a mother . '' `` You are very kind , and perhaps you can cure my folly if I tell it , and yet I am ashamed , '' murmured the girl . Then yielding to an irresistible impulse to ask help and sympathy , she added , in an almost inaudible tone , `` I came away to escape from Paul . '' `` Because he loves you , Lillian ? '' asked my lady , with a frown and a half smile . `` Because he does not love me , Mamma . '' And the poor girl hid her burning cheeks in her hands , as if overwhelmed with maidenly shame at the implied confession of her own affection . `` My child , how is this ? I can not but be glad that he does not love you ; yet it fills me with grief to see that this pains you . He is not a mate for you , Lillian . Remember this , and forget the transient regard that has sprung up from that early intimacy of yours . '' `` He is wellborn , and now my equal in fortune , and oh , so much my superior in all gifts of mind and heart , '' sighed the girl , still with hidden face , for tears were dropping through her slender fingers . `` It may be , but there is a mystery about him ; and I have a vague dislike to him in spite of all that has passed . But , darling , are you sure he does not care for you ? I fancied I read a different story in his face , and when you begged to leave town so suddenly , I believed that you had seen this also , and kindly wished to spare him any pain . '' `` It was to spare myself .
Oh , Mamma , he XXXXX Helen , and will marry her although she is blind .
's Thank came care cure loves overwhelmed see sighed tell