Nell of Shorne Mills

If Nell wanted work that would prevent her dwelling upon her heart's

loss, she had certainly found it at Egerton House. Before a week had

passed she had slipped into her position of presiding genius; and,

marvelous to relate, seeing how young and inexperienced she was, she

filled it very well.

At first she was considerably worried by the condition of domestic

affairs. Meals were prepared for persons who might or might not be

present to eat them. Sometimes she would sit down alone to a lunch

sufficient for half a dozen persons; at others, Lady Wolfer would come

down at the last moment and say: "Oh, Nell, dear"--it had very quickly come to "Nell"--"ever so many

women are coming to lunch--nine or ten, I forget which. I ought to have

told you, oughtn't I? And I really meant to, but somehow it slipped out

of my head. And they are mostly people with good appetites. Is there

anything in the house? But, there! I know you will manage somehow, won't

you, dear?"

And Nell would summon the long-suffering Mrs. Hubbard, and additions

would hastily be made to the small menu, and Nell would come in looking

as cool and composed as if the guests had run no risk of starvation.

The dinner hour, as Lady Wolfer had said, was eight, but it was often

nine or half-past before she and Lord Wolfer put in an appearance; and

more than once during the week the earl had been accompanied by persons

whom he had brought from the House or some meeting, and expected to have

them provided for.

The cook never knew how many guests to expect; the coachman never knew

when the horses and carriages would be wanted; the footmen were called

upon to leave their proper duties and wait upon a mob of "advanced

women" collected for a meeting--and a scramble feed--in the dining room,

when perhaps a proper lunch should have been in preparation for an

ordinary party.

There was no rest, no cessation of the stir and turmoil in the great

house, and amid it all Nell moved like a kind of good fairy, contriving

to just keep the whole thing from smashing up in chaotic confusion.

Presently everybody began to rely upon her, and came to her for

assistance; and the earl himself was uneasy and dissatisfied if she were

not at the head of the breakfast table, at which he and she very often

made a duet. He seemed to see Lady Wolfer very seldom, and gradually

got into the habit of communicating with her through Nell. It would be: "May I trouble you so far, Miss Lorton, as to ask Lady Wolfer if she

intends going to the Wrexhold reception to-night?" Or: "Lady Wolfer

wishes for a check for these bills. May I ask you to give it to her?

Thank you very much. I am afraid I am giving you a great deal of

trouble."