Nell of Shorne Mills
Page 181"Thanks! You are always so kind. Will you tell her, please, that the
book she wants is on the Sèvres pedestal, just behind the vase. She will
want it to-night."
Nell nodded.
"I won't forget," she said. "Are you going to take that poor flower into
the cold, Sir Archie?"
She blushed as she asked the question; but he was too absorbed in the
fatal game of passion to notice her embarrassment.
"The flower?" he said unthinkingly. "It is nearly faded already; too
poor an offering to make you, Miss Lorton; but if you will accept
He had expected her to refuse laughingly, but she replied simply: "Thank you; yes, I should like to have it," and in his surprise he took
it from his coat, and, with a bow, handed it to her, wished her good
night, and left her. At the door he paused and looked in the direction
of Lady Wolfer, met her eyes for an instant, then went out.
Nell was about to place the flower on the table, but, quite
unthinkingly, stuck it in the bosom of her dress. As she was crossing
the room to some people who were taking their departure, the earl came
up to her.
"I am going to the library presently, and may not see Lady Wolfer before
to-night? I think she is looking tired--and--and overstrained. Do you
not think so?"
His tone was so full of anxiety, there was so sad and strained an
expression in his grave face, as he looked toward his young wife, who
was talking rather loudly and laughing in a way women will when there is
anything but laughter in their hearts, that Nell's sympathy went out to
him. It was as if suddenly she understood how much he cared for the
woman who was wife to him in little more than the name.
"Yes, yes! I will tell her," she said. "I am sure she will not go if you
He smiled bitterly, and, for once dropping the cold reserve which
usually masked him, said, with sad bitterness: "You think she considers my wishes so closely?"
Nell looked up at him, half frightened by the intensity of his
expression.
"Why--yes!" she faltered.
He smiled as bitterly as he had spoken; then his manner changed
suddenly, and his eyes became fixed on the flower in her dress.
"Where did you get that flower? Who----" he asked, almost sternly.