Nell of Shorne Mills

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.