Nell of Shorne Mills

Nell glanced at Mrs. Lorton, who smiled with the air of a society lady

settling a point of etiquette.

"If Mr. Vernon has really been so kind as to offer to lend you a horse,

it would be ungrateful and churlish to refuse, Eleanor," she said.

"That's all right," said Dick. "Though you might say 'Thank you,' Nell.

But, there; you'll never learn manners, though you may, after some long

years, learn to ride. Did you see that yacht, sir?" he asked, turning to

Drake.

Drake nodded carelessly.

"A spanker, wasn't she?" continued Dick. "Now, that's what I call a

yacht. And hadn't she some swells on board! I met some of them coming up

the hill. Talk about stylish togs!"

"No one talks of 'stylish togs' but savages in the wilds of London, and

vulgar boys," remarked Nell.

Dick regarded her wistfully, and raised the last piece of the crust of

his slice of bread and butter to throw at her, then refrained, with a

reluctant sigh.

"I never saw anything like it out of a fashion plate. You ought to have

been there, mamma," he put in, parenthetically. "You'd have appreciated

them, no doubt, whereas I wasn't capable of anything but staring. They

were swells--real swells, too; for I spoke to one of the crew who had

Strolled up from the boat. The yacht's that racer, the _Seagull_. Do you

know her, Mr. Vernon?"

"I've heard of her," said Drake.

"I forget the name of her owner; though the man told me; but he's a

nobleman of sorts. There were no end of titled and fashionable people on

board. A Sir--Sir Archie something; and a Lord and Lady Turfleigh,

father and daughter--perhaps you know them?"

Drake looked at him through half-closed eyes.

"Yes, I've heard of them," he said. "May I have another cup of tea, Mrs.

Lorton? Thanks, very much. The sail this morning has made me ravenous."

"I am so delighted," murmured Mrs. Lorton. "What name did you say,

Richard? Turfleigh! Surely I have heard or seen that name----"

"I beg your pardon," said Drake, "but if Dick has quite finished his

tea, I think I'll stroll down to the stables and look at the horses."

"Oh, right you are! Come on!" exclaimed Dick, with alacrity.

Mrs. Lorton looked after the tall figure as it went out beside the

boy's.

"Mr. Vernon must be very well off, Eleanor," she said musingly, and with

a little, satisfied smile at the corners of her mouth. "Three horses.

And have you noticed that pearl stud? It is a black one, and must have

cost a great deal; and there is a certain look, air, about him, which

you, my dear Eleanor, are not likely to notice or understand, but which,

to one of my experience of the world, is significant. Did he seem to

enjoy his sail this morning?"