Nell of Shorne Mills

"Well, Eleanor?" demanded Mrs. Lorton impatiently.

"I have made up my mind; I will go," said Nell.

Mrs. Lorton flushed eagerly.

"Of course you will," she said. "It would be wicked and ungrateful to

neglect such a chance. When will you go? Fortunately, you have some new

clothes, and you will get what else you want in London. There are one

or two things I should like you to get for me. You could pick them up at

some of the sales; they are all on now, and things are sold ridiculously

cheap. And, Eleanor, be sure and send me a full description of Lady

Wolfer's dresses. You might snip off a pattern, perhaps. And I shall

want to hear all about the people who go to the house, and the dinner

parties and entertainments. I should say that it is not at all unlikely

that Lady Wolfer may ask me to go and stay there. Of course, she will be

curious to know what I am like--have I mentioned that we have never

met?--and you will tell her that I--I--have been accustomed to the

society in which she moves; and you might say that you are sure the

change will do me good. Write often, and be sure and tell me about the

dresses."

"But I shall leave you all alone, mamma," said Eleanor. "Are you sure

you won't be lonely?"

Mrs. Lorton drew a long sigh, and assumed the air of a martyr.

"You know me too well to think that I should allow my selfish comfort to

stand in the way of your advancement, Eleanor. Of course, I shall miss

you. But do not think of that. Let us think only of your welfare. I

shall have Molly, and must be content."

Nell checked a sigh at the evident affectation of the profession. It was

not in Mrs. Lorton to miss any human being so long as her own small

comforts were assured.

"Then I think I will go at once--to-night," said Nell. "Why should I

not? They want me--some one--at once, and----"

"Certainly," assented Mrs. Lorton eagerly. "I should go at once. You

will write immediately, and tell me what the house is like, and the

dresses."

Nell went downstairs, feeling rather confused and bewildered by the

sudden change in her life. She was to have been Drake's wife; she was

now to be--what was it, companion, housekeeper?--to Lady Wolfer!

Dick met her at the bottom of the stairs.

"I can't find Drake," he said, of course, with an injured air. "They say

he left the cottage early this morning--they thought he was coming up

here, as usual; but he hasn't been, has he?"