Nell of Shorne Mills

"An easy task," said Sir Charles. "She is Lord Angleford's young

wife--an American heiress. I like her very much. In fact, though I have

not known her very long, I am honored with her friendship. And yet I

ought not to like her," he added, almost to himself.

Nell opened her eyes upon him.

"Why not?" she asked.

Sir Charles was silent for a moment; then he said, as if he were

weighing his words, and choosing suitable ones for his auditor: "Lord Angleford has a nephew who is a great, a very great friend of

mine--Lord Selbie. He was Lord Angleford's heir; but--well, his uncle's

marriage may make all the difference to him."

Nell knit her brows and made another call on her memory.

"Of course!" she exclaimed, in a tone of triumph, which rather surprised

Sir Charles. "I remember reading about it. Lord Selbie! Yes--oh, yes; I

recollect."

Her voice grew sad and absent, as she recalled the afternoon when Mrs.

Lorton had insisted upon her reading the stupid society paper to Drake.

How long ago it seemed! How unreal!

"I dare say," said Sir Charles. "It's one of those things which the

world chatters about, and the newspapers paragraph. Poor Selbie!"

"Was he a very great friend of yours?" asked Nell, rather mechanically,

her eyes wandering from one face to another.

"Yes, very great," replied the undersecretary, with a warmth which one

does not look for in a professional politician. "We were at Eton

together, and we saw a great deal of each other afterward, though he

went into the army, and I, for my sins, fell into politics. He is one of

the best of fellows, an Admirable Crichton, at once the envy and the

despair of his companions. There is scarcely anything that Selbie

doesn't do, and he does all things well--the best shot, the best rider,

the best fencer, the best dancer of his set, and the best-hearted. Poor

old chap!"

It was evident that he had, in his enthusiasm, almost forgotten his

auditor.

"Where is he now?" asked Nell. "I heard Lady Angleford say that he is

abroad."

"Yes. No one knows where he is. He has disappeared. It sounds a strong

word, but it is the only one that will meet the case. And perhaps it was

the best thing he could do. When a man's prospects are blighted, and his

ladylove has jilted him----"

Nell turned quickly. She had tried to remember the whole of the

paragraph she had read to Drake, but she could not.