A grand surprise awaited.

A tableaux was in preparation.
When the drawing-room was partially darkened the curtain rose, showing a simple background, with two children of the family sleeping quietly in the foreground.

Standing over them was Helen Douglas; her hair fell over her shoulders.

She wore a black dress, while a black lace veil, spangled with gold stars, covered her from head to foot.

With her arms extended she is in the act of covering the sleeping children.