‘My husband,’ replied Nora, without thinking. ‘Your husband? Mr Lumley? And from whom did _he_ get it then?’ persisted the farmer’s daughter. ‘Really, I don’t see what right you have to question me after this fashion,’ said Nora. ‘I don’t know whom he got it from. The jewellers, I suppose. But pray don’t let us say another word upon the subject. It is evident that, instead of giving you pleasure, I have done just the other thing. All my stupidity, I suppose. I thought, as you would not take money, that the ring would have been more acceptable to you, but I was mistaken. Now, pray don’t be angry. Let us drop the subject altogether. Ah, here comes your mother with the tea-tray. Mrs Llewellyn, your daughter and I have been having quite a little quarrel over this affair. She won’t take money from me, and she won’t take a present, so I don’t know what to do. Perhaps you will be able to make her a little more reasonable after I have gone.’ ‘Ah, ma’am, she’s very queer at times, poor lass,’ said Mrs Llewellyn, for Nell had taken the occasion of her entrance to escape to the upper storey again. ‘She’s been so pulled-down and weakened by the fever, that father and I say we hardly know her. Sometimes I think she’ll never be the same girl again as she was before she left home. But you mustn’t think nothing more about giving her a present, ma’am. What she did for you, you was most heartily welcome to, as her father would say, too, if he was here. Sir Archibald has been a good landlord to us for many years past; and if he hadn’t taken it into his head to raise the rent, we shouldn’t have anything to say against him. But pray let me give you a cup of tea, ma’am, with cream and sugar to your liking.’ And, over the discussion of Mrs Llewellyn’s excellent tea, Nell and her abrupt behaviour were spoken of no more. But Lady Ilfracombe, though she did not like to vex the earl by mentioning the subject to him, could not banish it from her mind for some time afterwards. CHAPTER II.