Nell of Shorne Mills

Drake sincerely hoped his uncle hadn't, for everybody's sake. At that

moment the earl came into the room, held out his hand, and said, as if

he had parted with Drake only the night before: "How are you, Drake? Glad to see you. You've met Lady Angleford already?

Isn't it nearly dinner time?"

Drake took Lady Angleford in. There were no guests besides himself, and

they had quite a pleasant little dinner. Lady Angleford talked with all

the vivacity and charm of a cultured American who has seen both sides of

the world, and kept her eyes open, and Drake began to feel as if he had

known her for years. The earl was in a singularly good humor and

listened to, and smiled at, his young wife proudly, and talked to Drake

as if nothing had happened. It was just like old times; and Drake, as he

opened the door for Lady Angleford, on her way to the drawing-room,

smiled down at her, and nodded as she looked up at him questioningly.

Then he went back to his chair, and the butler put the Angleford port in

its wicker cradle before the earl.

"I oughtn't to touch a drop," he said, "for I've had a twinge or two

lately; but on this occasion----"

He filled his glass, and passed the bottle to Drake--the butler had left

the room.

"So you met Lady Angleford last night?"

"Yes, sir; and I take this, the first opportunity, to congratulate you.

And Lady Angleford is as charming as she is pretty; and you won't mind

my saying that I consider you an extremely lucky man."

Of course, the earl looked pleased.

"Thanks," he said; "that's very good of you, Drake--especially as my

marriage may make all the difference to you."

Drake looked at his cigarette steadily.

"I've no reason to complain, sir; and I don't," he said. "You might have

married years ago, and I'm rather surprised you didn't."

The earl grunted.

"I don't suppose I should have done so now, if you hadn't been such a

stubborn young ass. That put my back up. But though I don't regret what

I've done--no, by Jove!--I don't want you to think I am utterly

regardless of your future. This port improves, doesn't it? Of course,

you may be knocked out of the succession now----"

"Most probably so, I should think," said Drake.

"Just so. And, therefore, it's only right that I should do something for

you."

"You are very good, sir," said Drake.