She flushed for a moment.

"There was no need," she said. "It does not matter."

Dick sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"No, I suppose it doesn't; but it's a mysterious affair. I hear he is

going to marry that fair woman, Lady Luce."

Nell inclined her head, her lips set tightly.

"It's a pity we can't get away from here," he said gloomily. "It's jolly

awkward. Though Drake was more than friendly with me last night and just

now. He's awfully changed."

They were standing by the window of the sitting room, and Nell was

looking out with eyes that saw nothing.

"Changed?"

"Yes; he looks years older, and he's stern and grave as if----Well, he

doesn't look the same man, and it strikes me that he's anything but

happy, though he is the Earl of Angleford, and going to marry one of the

most beautiful woman in England."

Nell stood with compressed lips and eyes fixed on vacancy.

"He got a nasty blow last night," said Dick, after a pause.

Her manner changed in a moment, and her eyes flew round to him.

"He was hurt?" she said, with a catch in her breath.

Dick nodded.

"Yes; that ruffian struck him with the revolver or something. And I

say, Nell, I haven't heard your share in this affair yet. Drake told me

that the fellow struck you."

"Did he?" she said indifferently. "I--I don't remember. Was Lord

Angleford badly hurt? Tell me."

"Oh, no; I think not; not badly," replied Dick. "There's a bruise on his

temple; but what's that to the damage poor Falconer suffered? Drake says

that it was the pluckiest thing he's seen. Oh, Lord! what a sickening

business it is! Thank goodness, they've got the fellow. It will be a

lifer for him, that's one consolation."

Nell shuddered.

"And they've got the jewels back, that's another," said Dick, more

cheerily. "Though I'd rather the fellow had got off with them than poor

Falconer should have been hurt. What beastly bad luck, just after he'd

struck oil and got a start! Drake says that Falconer will be a

celebrity, if he lives; and you may depend Drake will do his best to

make his words good. There'll be a 'Falconer boom,' mark my words. I

never saw any one so concerned about a man as Drake is about him. He was

here outside talking with the doctor before it was light. The whole of

the remainder of the big house is to be placed at our disposal. In

short, if it had been Drake himself who was stabbed, there couldn't be

more concern shown. Here's the breakfast, and for the first time in my

life, I don't want it. Why the deuce can't the swells look after their

blessed diamonds?"




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