Nell of Shorne Mills

Certainly not poor Nell, who still remained in her dim corner in the

gallery. Mrs. Hawksley had begged her to come down to the supper which

had been laid for her and her brother and Falconer; but Nell, who felt

that it would be impossible to make even a pretense of eating or

drinking, had begged them to excuse her; and when they had gone and the

gallery was empty, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her

eyes; for she was well-nigh exhausted by the conflicting emotions which

racked her. She longed to go, to leave the place, to escape from the

risk of Drake's presence; but she could not leave the house alone, and

to go from the gallery and absent herself for the rest of the evening

might attract notice and comment.

Was it possible that Drake had been near her, so near as to almost have

touched her? She trembled--and thrilled--at the thought; then crimsoned

with shame for the sinful thrill of joy and happiness which his nearness

had caused her.

What was he to her now? Nothing, nothing! She had yielded him up to the

beautiful woman he had loved before he saw her, Nell; and it was

shameful and unwomanly that she should feel a joy in his proximity.

Falconer came up before the rest of the orchestra, and brought a glass

of wine and a biscuit for her.

"I am afraid you have a headache, the lights and the music--they are so

near; and it is hot up here. Will you drink some of this, Miss Lorton?"

His voice was low and tender, though he strove to give it a conventional

touch and merely friendly tone.

"Thank you, yes," said Nell gratefully. "How good of you to think of me!

How magnificently you played! I can't tell you how happy your success

has made me! And such a success! I was as proud as if it were I who was

playing; and I was prouder still when I saw how quietly you took it.

Ah, you felt that it was just your due. I suppose genius always takes

the crowd's applause calmly."

His face flushed, and his dark eyes glowed.

"There is some applause I, at any rate--who am no genius,

however--cannot take calmly," he said. "I would rather have those words

of approval from you than the shouting and clapping of a multitude. Yes,

it made me happy; but I am happier now than words can express."

If Nell had looked up into the eyes bent on hers, she must have read his

secret in them; but the band had begun to play, and at that moment Drake

was leading Lady Luce to her place for the cotillon, and Nell's eyes

were drawn, riveted to the fair face, the blue eyes shining

triumphantly; and she forgot not only Falconer's presence, but his

existence.