Nell of Shorne Mills

It occurred to him that where they were going on the Continent he might,

perhaps, procure a little amusement for her; there might be a dance or

two at the hotels at which they would stay; or he might take her to one

of the big state balls for which there would be no difficulty in

obtaining an invitation.

Yes, he thought as he watched her--her lips half parted with a smile of

intense enjoyment, her eyes shining with the light of youth and

ignorance of care--she should have a happy time of it or he would know

the reason why; he would simply devote his life to watching over her, to

screening her from every worry, to---"Are you staying in the house, Mr. Blake?"

It was Sir William who had toddled up and addressed the reflective

guest. Sir William never knew exactly how the house party was composed;

and sometimes a man had been staying at the Grange for a fortnight

without Sir William comprehending that the man was sleeping beneath his

roof.

"No? Beg your pardon! I should have liked to show you my Herefords

to-morrow morning. I think you'd admire 'em; they're the best lot I've

had, and I ought to do well with them at the show. But perhaps you don't

take an interest in cattle-breeding?"

"Oh, yes, I do," said Drake pleasantly, and with his rather rare

smile--he was brimming over with happiness and would have patted a

rhinoceros that night, and Sir William was anything but a rhinoceros.

"Every man ought to take an interest in cattle-breeding and

horse-breeding. I did a little in the latter way myself." He pulled up

short. "I shall be very glad to come over to-morrow morning, if you'll

allow me."

"Do, do!" said Sir William genially, and evidently much gratified. "But,

look here, you'll have to come over early, because I've got to go and

sit on the bench, and shall have to leave here soon after ten. Why not

come over to breakfast--say, nine o'clock?"

"Thanks!" said Drake; "I shall be very glad to."

At this moment Lady Maltby came up to them with a rather anxious

expression on her pleasant face.

"I can't think what has come to the Chesney party, William," she said.

"I didn't expect them very early, but it's getting rather late now. Do

you think they've had an accident?"

"Not a bit of it!" returned Sir William cheerily. "They've had a jolly

good dinner, and don't feel like moving. Don't blame them, either.

Suppose we go and have a cigar, Mr. Blake?"