Nell, of Shorne Mills Part 75

"That's a long way! Aren't you tired? Will you have some tea? I'll get some made in a moment or two. Do!"

"No, no; thanks!" he said, as he pitched his cap on the stand. "It's too late."

As he spoke he went up to Lady Luce and looked down at her, his face still flushed, his eyes still unnaturally bright.

"What have you been doing with yourself, Luce?" he asked.

She glanced up at him for a moment, then lowered her eyes and drew the dog's sleek head close to her.

"I don't know," she said, with a slight shrug of the shoulders.

"Nothing, I think. It has been an awfully long day."

"Luce has been bored to death, and--for once--has admitted it," said Lady Angleford, laughing. "Her yawns and sighs have been too awful for words."

He stood and looked down at her. She was perfectly dressed, and looked like a girl in the light frock, with its plain blouse and neat sailor knot. At any rate, if he married her he would have a beautiful wife; and that was something. That she loved him, was still more.

Now that he knew Nell had forgotten him, there was no reason why he should hesitate.

He bent lower, and his hand fell on the dog's head and touched hers.

"Luce!" he said.

She looked up, saw that the words she had been longing for were trembling on his lips, and her face grew pale.

"Luce, I want to speak to you," he said, in a low voice. Lady Angleford had gone to a table to collect her work; there was no one within hearing. "I want to ask you----"

Before he could finish the all-important sentence, Wolfer and one or two other men who had been riding came in at the door.

"Bell gone?" exclaimed Wolfer. "Afraid we are late. Had a capital ride, Angleford! What a lovely country it is! Is my wife in yet?"

Drake bit his lip; for, having made up his mind to the plunge, he disliked being pulled up on the brink.

"After dinner," he whispered, bending still lower, and he went upstairs with the other men. Lord Turfleigh, who was with them, paused at the landing, murmured an excuse, and toddled heavily down again. Lady Luce had picked up her book and risen, and she lifted her head and looked at her father with an unmistakable expression on her face.

He raised his heavy eyebrows and stretched his mouth in a grin of satisfaction.

"No!" he said, in a thick whisper. "Really?"

She nodded, and flashed a smile of exultant triumph round the hall.

"Yes. He had nearly spoken when you came in! My luck, of course! Another minute! But he will speak to-night!"

"My dear gyurl!" he murmured. "You make your poor old father a proud and happy man. My own gyurl!"

She glanced at Lady Angleford warningly, and going up to her, took her arm and murmured sweetly:

"Let us go upstairs together, dear."

Lady Angleford looked at her with a meaning smile.

"How changed you have suddenly become, Luce!" she said. "Where are all your yawns gone? One would think you had heard news!"

Luce turned her face with a radiant smile.

"Perhaps I have," she said, in a low voice. "I--I will tell you--to-morrow!"

They parted at the door of Lady Angleford's room, Lady Luce's being farther down the corridor. Next to Lady Angleford's was the suite which had been prepared for Drake, and he came out of the room which adjoined the one she used as a dressing room as she was going into it.

"I'm sorry if my absence to-day was inconvenient, countess," he said.

"Not in the least! Everybody was disposed of; indeed, I was so free that Lady Wolfer and I went for a long drive. How changed she is! I don't know a happier woman! And she has given up all that woman's rights business."

Drake nodded, with, it must be admitted, little interest.

"By the way," he said, as casually as he could, "what is the name of the young engineer and his sister who are staying at the lodge?"

"Lorton," replied the countess. "So stupid of me! I thought it was Norton, and I addressed the invitation so; but Mrs. Hawksley tells me that it is Lorton. The brother comes from Bardsley & Bardsley."

Drake nodded. He needed no confirmation of the fact of Nell's presence.

"And she's engaged to this Mr. Falconer?"

"Oh, yes," replied the countess. "There can be no doubt of it. Mrs.

Harksley says that his attentions to her last night--at the ball, I mean--were quite touching. They walked home together arm in arm. I really must call on her. They say she is extremely pretty."

"No need to call, I think," he said. "I mean," he went on, as the countess looked surprised, "that--that they will be gone directly."

"Oh, but I thought he might be going to remain as resident engineer."

"No, I think not," said Drake, almost harshly. "From all I hear, he's too young."

Lady Angleford nodded, and went into her room, where her maid was awaiting her.

"Will you wear your diamonds, my lady?" she asked.

The countess nodded absently, and took the key of the safe from her purse; but when the maid placed the square case which held the marvelous jewels on the dressing table, Lady Angleford changed her mind.

"No, no," she said; "not to-night. It is only a house party. Put them back, please."

The maid replaced the case in the safe, but she could not turn the key.

"You must be quick. I am afraid I'm late," said the countess.

"I can't turn the key, my lady," said the woman.

Lady Angleford rose and tried to turn it, but the key remained obstinately immovable.

"Knock at the earl's door and ask him if he will be kind enough to come to me," she said.