Nell of Shorne Mills

"Spectators see more of the game, dear," said Nell softly.

"And in a moment everything was changed; and I knew the truth--that he

loved me--had loved me from the first. We had both been blind. But I was

the worst; for I, being a woman, ought to have seen that his coldness

was only the screen which his pride erected between his heart and the

woman whom he thought had only married him for position. We went away

together that day--our real honeymoon. Forgive me, Nell, if--if I almost

forgot you! Happiness makes us selfish, dear! But I did not forget you

for long. And he--Nell, why does he always speak of you as if he owed

you something----"

She broke off, looking at Nell with a puzzled air.

Nell smiled enigmatically, but said nothing.

"Nell, dear, he bade me bring you back with me."

Nell shook her head.

"You will not? But you will come and stay with us; you will bring your

brother? Make your home with us while we are in town, at any rate, dear.

Ah, don't be stubborn, Nell! Somehow, I feel as if--as if I owed my new

happiness to you--that's strange, isn't it? But it is so. And you will

come?"

But Nell was wise in her generation, and remained firm.

"I must stay with Dick," she said. "We are all and all to each other.

But you shall come and see me sometimes, if you will promise to be good,

and not try and persuade me into leaving that sphere in which the Fates

have placed me."

Lady Wolfer sighed.

"You little mule! You always had your own way while you were at Wolfer

House, and I see you haven't changed. But I give you fair warning, Nell,

that one day I shall take you at your weakest, and bear you away from

this--this awful place! It is not fitting that you should be here! Dear,

don't forget that you are a relation of mine!"

"A poor relation," said Nell, laughing softly. "And, like all poor

relations, to be kept at a proper distance. Go now, dear; that coachman

of yours is getting anxious about his horses."

Lady Wolfer pleaded hard, but Nell remained firm.

Her ladyship was welcome to visit at Beaumont Buildings as often as she

chose, but Beaumont Buildings would keep itself to itself; and, at last,

her brougham drove away.

It had scarcely turned the corner before Falconer knocked at the

Lortons' door.

"Gone!" he said.

"Yes, quite gone," said Nell cheerfully, but thoughtfully. "Come and

have your tea; and I'll have another cup."