He frowned, and replied, almost harshly: "Thanks. I am not in the least tired. How should I be? Why do you think
so?"
Nell shrank a little.
"I--I thought you looked pale and tired," she said, in a voice so low
and sweet that he was smitten with shame.
"Perhaps I am a bit played out," he said apologetically, and passing his
hand over his brow as if to erase the lines which the scene with Lady
Lucille had etched. "Your convalescent invalid is a trying kind of
animal, Miss Nell, and--and you must forgive it for snapping."
"There is nothing to forgive," she said quietly. "It was thoughtless of
me to let you stay out so long, and I deserve the lecture mamma has been
giving me. Please come in to tea at once, or it will be repeated--the
lecture, I mean."
They went into the drawing-room, where Mrs. Lorton sat with due state
and dignity before her tea table; and, having got him into the
easy-chair, the good lady began at once: "So thoughtless of Eleanor to keep you out so long! You must be
exhausted, I am sure. I know how trying the first days of recovery from
illness are, and how even a little exertion will produce absolute
collapse. Now, will you have a little brandy in your tea, Mr. Vernon? A
teaspoonful will sometimes produce a magical effect," she added, as if
she were recommending a peculiarly startling firework. "No? You are
quite sure? And what is this Richard is telling me about two horses? He
came rushing in just now with some story of horses that he had brought
from Shallop."
Drake looked up with a casual air.
"Yes; they're mine. I was obliged to have them sent down. They were
spoiling for want of exercise. I must turn them out in some of the
fields here, or get some one to ride them, unless Dick and Miss Nell
will be good-natured enough to exercise them."
Nell laughed softly.
"That is one way of putting it, isn't it, mamma? But I tell Mr. Vernon
that I really must not, ought not, to take advantage of his good nature.
It's all very well for Dick to----"
"What's all very well for Dick? And don't you take my name in vain quite
so freely, young party," remarked that individual, entering the room and
making for the tea table. "Don't you be taken in by all this pretended
reluctance, Mr. Vernon. It's the old game of Richard III. refusing the
crown. See English history book. Nell will be on that mare to-morrow
morning safe enough, won't you, Nellikins? And I say, sir, you must get
your arm right and ride with her. Perhaps she would not be too proud to
take lessons from a stranger--from you, I mean--though she does turn up
her nose at her brother's kindly meant hints, an operation which, as I
am perpetually telling her, is quite superfluous, for it's turned up
quite sufficiently as it is."