What did it matter that the earl deemed her guilty? As she had said, she
was nobody, a girl for whom no one cared. She was going back to Shorne
Mills. Well, thank God for that! In six hours she would be home. Home!
Her heart ached at the word, ached with the longing for rest and peace.
She found that a train did not start until three, and she walked up and
down the station for some time, trying to forget her unhappiness in the
bustle and confusion which, even at the end of this nineteenth century,
make traveling a burden and a trial.
Presently she began to feel faint rather than hungry, and she went into
the refreshment room and asked for a glass of milk. While she was
drinking it a gentleman came in. She saw that it was Lord Wolfer, and
set down the glass and waited. The man seemed totally changed. The
sternness had disappeared from his face, and his eyes were bright with
his newly found happiness.
"Why have you come?" she asked dully.
"I had to," he said. "I--I wanted to tell you--you were right--yes, you
were right! I was blind. We were both blind! We are going abroad
to-day--together. She has asked for you--almost directly--almost as if
she--she suspected that you had brought us together! I told her that you
had been sent for by Sophia. I wish you were not going; I wish you were
coming with us!"
Nell shook her head wearily; and he nodded. He seemed years younger; and
his old stiffness had disappeared from his manner, the grave solemnity
from his voice.
"That is my train," said Nell.
He looked at her wistfully, as if he longed to take her back with him,
but Nell walked resolutely down the platform, and he put her into a
first-class compartment. Then he got some papers and magazines, and laid
them on the seat beside her. It was evident that he did not know how
sufficiently to express his gratitude.
"Your going is the only alloy to my--our happiness!" he said.
Nell smiled drearily.
"You will soon forget me," she could not help saying.
"Never! Don't think that!" he said. "Have you wired to say that you are
coming?"
Nell shook her head.
"I will do so," he said.
The guard made his last inspection of the carriages, and Wolfer held her
hand.
"Good-by," he said. "And--and thank you!"
The words were conventional enough, but Nell understood, and was
comforted.