Nell of Shorne Mills

"Perhaps you will be spared that pain," she said. "I may be a

wallflower, waiting for you to take pity on me."

"Yes, I should think that very probable," he retorted ironically. "Oh,

Nell, how I love you, how proud----"

Dick came out of the dining room at that moment, and at sight of Nell

fell back against the wall in an assumed swoon.

"Is it--can it be--the simple little fishergirl of Shorne Mills? My

aunt, Nell, you do look a swell! Got 'em all on, Drake, hasn't she?

Miss Eleanor Lorton as Cinderella! Kiss your brother, Nell!"

He made a pretended rush at her with extended arms, and Nell shrieked

apprehensively: "Keep him off, Drake! He'll crush my dress! Dick--Dick, you dare!"

Dick winked at Drake.

"You are requested not to touch the figure. Drake, have you observed and

noticed this warning? But so it is in this world! One man may kiss this

waxwork, while another isn't permitted to lay a finger on it. Now, are

we going to the Maltbys' dance, or have you decided to remain here and

spoon? And hasn't any one a word of approval for this figure? Between

you and me, Drake, I rather fancy myself to-night. I do hope I shan't

break any young thing's heart, for I'm not--I really am not--a marrying

man. Seen too much of the preliminary business with other people, you

know."

They got into the fly, laughing, and Drake, as they drove along,

compared this departure for a simple country dance with his past

experiences. How seldom had he gone to a big London crush without

wishing that he could stay at home and smoke or read!

"Remember," he whispered to Nell, as they alighted at the Grange, "your

first dance and as many as you can give me!"

One or two other carriages set down at the same time, and they entered

the hall, a portion of a small crowd, so that Lady Maltby, a buxom,

smiling lady of the good old type of the country baronet's wife, had

only time to murmur a few words; and Drake passed on with Nell on his

arm.

As they went up the room, a dance started, and he drew Nell aside, and

standing by her, looked round curiously and a trifle apprehensively. But

there was no person whom he knew, and Sir William, who came up to them,

had even got Drake's name wrongly.

"Glad to see you, Miss Lorton. Dear, dear! how the young ones do grow!

Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Verney Blake, and to congratulate

you. I think I've met a relative of yours--an uncle, I fancy----"