Hers was that pure and unselfish affection which could bear to stand by and see those she loved made happy, even though it was by another than herself.
She fell to work in her old way, and the earl employed as much as he required her ready handwriting, her clear head, and her full acquaintance with every body and every thing in the district; for Helen was a real minister's daughter--as popular and as necessary in the parish as the minister himself; and she was equally important at the Castle, where she was consulted, as this morning, on every thing Lord Cairnforth was about to do, and on the wisest way of expending--he did not wish to save--the large yearly income which he now seemed really beginning to enjoy.
Helen, too, after a long morning's work, drew her breath with a sigh of pleasure.
"What a grand thing it is to be as rich as you are!" "Why so ?" "One can do such a deal of good with plenty of money." "Yes.

Should you like to be very rich, Helen ?" watching her with an amused look.
Helen shook her head and laughed.

"Oh, it's no use asking me the question, for I shall never have the chance of being rich." "You can not say; you might marry, for instance." "That is not likely.

Papa could never do without me; besides, as the folk say, I'm 'no bonnie, ye ken.' But," speaking more seriously, "indeed, I never think of marrying.

If it is to be it will be; if not, I am quite happy as I am.