Nell of Shorne Mills

"I should be a marvel of conceit and vanity if I were foolish enough to

believe that you meant some of the pretty things you say to me,"

remarked Nell. "And have I got the complete list of all the guests? I

asked Lord Wolfer, and he said that he should like Lord and Lady

Angleford invited."

Lady Wolfer nodded.

"All right. You will find their address in the _Court Guide_. But I think

he has the gout, and Lady Angleford never goes anywhere without him.

Did--did my husband say anything more about the party--or--anything?" she

asked, bending over the proofs of a speech she was correcting.

"No," said Nell. "Only that he left everything to you, of course."

"Of course," said her ladyship. "He is, as usual, utterly indifferent

about everything concerning me. Don't look so scared, my child," she

added, with a bitter little laugh. "That is the usual attitude of the

husband, especially when he is a public man, and needs a figure to sit

at the head of his table and ride in his carriages instead of a wife!

There! you are going to run away, I see. And you look as if I had talked

high treason. My dear Nell, when you know as much of the world as you

know of your prayer book----Bah! why should I open those innocent eyes

of yours? Run away--and play, I was going to say; but I'm afraid you

don't get much play. Archie was saying only yesterday that we were

working you too hard, and that we ought to be ashamed of ourselves."

Nell flushed rather resentfully.

"I am much obliged to Sir Archie's expression of sympathy," she began.

"Yes! You sound like it!" said Lady Wolfer, laughing. "My dear, why

don't you get angry oftener? It suits you. Your face just wants that

dash of color; and I'd no idea your eyes were so violety! You can give

me a kiss if you like--mind the ink! Ah, Nell, some day some man will go

mad over that same face and eyes of yours. Well, don't marry a

politician, or a man who thinks it undignified to care for his wife!

There, do go!"

As Nell went away, puzzled by Lady Wolfer's words and manner, her

ladyship let her head fall upon her hand, and, sighing deeply, gazed at

the "proof" as if she had forgotten it.

Nell did not send for Madame Cerise, but purchased a skirt of black lace,

and set to work to make up the bodice. She was engaged on this one evening

two nights before the dinner, when Burden came in with: "A gentleman to see you, miss. He's in the library. It's Mr. Lorton,

your brother, I think----"