Nell, of Shorne Mills Part 86

Why did he not go? Every moment it became more difficult for her to maintain her forced calm. If he would only go! But he stood, his eyes now downcast, now seeking hers, his brows knit, as if he found it awful to remain, and yet impossible to go.

"Will you tell Mr. Falconer that directly he is able to go out I will send a carriage for him--a pony phaeton, or something of that sort?" he said, at last.

Nell inclined her head.

"We will leave here as soon as he can be moved," she said.

His frown deepened.

"Why?" he asked sharply. "Why should you?"

The blood began to mount to her face, and, gnawing at his mustache, he turned away. But as he did so d.i.c.k came down the stairs, two at a time.

"Hi, Drake!" he called out. "Don't go. Falconer would like to see you!"

Drake hesitated just for a second--then----

"I shall be very glad," he said.

Nell moved aside to let him pa.s.s, and went into the sitting room, and he followed d.i.c.k upstairs. She went to the window, and stood looking out for a moment or two, then she caught up her hat and left the house, for she knew that she could not see him again--ah! not just yet.

Drake went up the stairs slowly, trying to brace himself to go through the ordeal like a man--and a gentleman. He was going to congratulate Mr.

Falconer on his good fortune in winning the woman he himself loved. It was a hard, a bitterly hard thing to have to do, but it had to be done.

"Here's Lord Angleford, old man," said d.i.c.k, introducing him. "I don't know whether visitors are permitted yet, but you can lay the blame on me; and you needn't palaver long, Drake."

"I will take care not to tire Mr. Falconer," said Drake, as he went to the bedside and held out his hand.

Falconer took it in his thin one, and looked up at the handsome face with an expression which somewhat puzzled Drake.

"I'm glad to hear you're better," he said. "I suppose I ought not to refer to the subject, but I can't help saying, Falconer, how much we--I mean Lady Angleford--and all of us--are indebted to you. But for you the fellow would have got off, and her diamonds would have been lost."

Falconer noticed the friendly "Falconer," and though his heart was aching, he could not help admiring the man who stood beside him with all the grace of health and high birth in his bearing; and he sighed involuntarily as he drew a contrast between himself and "my lord the earl."

"All the same," Drake went on, "the countess would rather have lost her diamonds than you should be hurt."

"Her ladyship is very kind," said Falconer. His eyes, unnaturally bright, were fixed on Drake's face, his voice was low but steady. "I am glad I was of some little use in saving them. The man has been committed for trial, I hear?"

Drake nodded indifferently.

"Yes," he said. "I wish he had dropped the jewel cases and got off. It would have saved a lot of bother. But don't be afraid that you will be wanted as a witness," he added quickly. "I and one or two of the men who were present when he was captured will be sufficient. There will be no need to worry you--or Miss Lorton."

Falconer nodded.

"I hope you will be able to get out soon," said Drake. "I told Miss Lorton that I would send a carriage for you--something bulky and comfortable. Perhaps you'll let me drive you?"

Falconer nodded again, and Drake began to feel vaguely uncomfortable under his fixed gaze and taciturnity; and being uncomfortable, he blundered on to the subject that tortured him.

"But Miss Lorton can drive you well enough; she is a perfect whip.

And--and now I am mentioning her, I will take the opportunity of congratulating you upon your engagement, Falconer."

Falconer's lips twitched, but his eyes did not leave Drake's face, which had suddenly become stern and grim.

"You knew Miss Lorton before she came here, Lord Angleford?" said Falconer.

Drake colored, and set his lips tightly.

"Yes," he said, trying to speak casually. "We met----"

He stopped, overwhelmed by a thousand memories. His eyes fell, but Falconer's did not waver.

"Then it is as an old friend of hers that you congratulate me, Lord Angleford?" he said.

"Yes, an old friend," said Drake, his throat dry and hot. "I wish you every happiness, my dear fellow; and I think you----"

Falconer raised himself on his elbow.

"You are laboring under a mistake, Lord Angleford," he said, very quietly. "You think that Miss Lorton--is betrothed to me?"

Drake nodded. His face had grown pale; there was an eager light in his eyes. Falconer dropped back with a sigh.

"You are wrong," he said. "Who told you?"

Drake was silent a moment. The blood was rushing through his veins.

"Who told me? I heard--everybody said----"

He dropped into the chair and leaned forward, his face stern and set.

Falconer smiled as grimly as Drake could have done.

"What everybody says is rarely true, my lord. We are not betrothed."

"You don't----" exclaimed Drake.

A worm will turn if trodden on too heavily. Falconer turned. His face grew hot, his dark eyes flashed.

"Yes, my lord, I love her!" he said, and the lowness of his voice only intensified its emphasis. "I love her so well--so madly, if you like--that I choose to set conventionality at defiance, and speak the truth. I love her, but I can never win her, because there is one who comes between her and me. Wait!"--for Drake had risen, and was gazing down at the wan face with flashing eyes. "I do not know who he is. She has never uttered a word to guide me; but I can guess. Wait a moment longer, my lord! Whoever he may be, he is not worthy of her; but she cares for him, and that is enough for me, and should be enough for him.

If I were that man----"

He stopped, for his breath had failed him. Drake leaned over him as if he would drag the conclusion of the sentence from him.

"If I were that man, I'd strive to win her as I'd strive for heaven! Ah, it would be heaven!" His lips twitched, and he turned his face away for a moment. "I would count everything else as of no account. I would thrust all obstacles aside, would go through fire and water to reach her----"

Drake caught him by the arm.

"Take care!" he said hoa.r.s.ely. "You bid me hope! Dare I do so?"