During dinner an obvious battle was being waged between Nelly and the butler. But the official and cumbrous dignity of the one was no match for the splendid and haughty languor of Nelly’s eyes, and the indolent indifference of her manner and tone. Somehow the notice of the servants was chiefly drawn to Miss Featherstone; but she decidedly managed to conquer them, and that in a style which puzzled and amused her friend at the head of the table. Nor would Nelly permit the least familiarity of approach on the part of her hostess. And as it would have been preposterous to have chatted confidentially with a person who returned these advances with a marked deference and respect, "my lady" fell into her friend’s whim, and the conversation at dinner was consequently somewhat peculiar. When the two women were left alone, however, Annie Brunel strongly remonstrated. But Nelly was firm: "If you don’t know who you are, I do." Drawing two low easy-chairs in towards the fire, they sat down and entered into mutual confidences. The one had much to tell—the other much to suggest; and never had two children more delight in planning what they would do if they were emperors, than had these two girls in concocting plots for the benefit of all the persons they knew, and a great many more. Miss Brunel took a note from her pocket, and gave it to her companion to read. "In strict confidence," she added. These were the words Nelly saw:—"_A friend, who has urgent reasons for remaining unknown has placed to the credit of Mr. Hubert Anerley, at the London and Westminster Bank, the sum of_ 30,000*l. Mr. Anerley is asked to accept this money as a free and frankly-offered gift, to be used on behalf of himself and his family. A bank-note of* 100*l. is enclosed, to satisfy Mr. Anerley that this communication is made in good faith.*" "Thirty thousand pounds!" said Nelly, in an awed whisper. "I have often thought of some one sending me a lot of money—thousands, millions of money—but I think if any one were actually to send me a hundred pounds, I should die of surprise first and joy afterwards." "The money has already been placed to his account at the bank; and this note will be sent to him to-morrow, when Mr. Cayley returns to town. How I should like to send old White the prompter a hundred pounds—the poor old man who has that dreadful wife!" "Don’t do anything of the kind, my dear," said Nelly, sagely. "He would starve his wife worse than ever, because he wouldn’t earn a penny until he had drunk every farthing of the money you sent him." "Perhaps you will forbid my giving you anything?" "Certainly not; I should be glad of a cup of tea or coffee." "Which?" "I like coffee best, but I prefer tea," said Nelly, with grave impartiality. Tea and coffee having been procured, they continued their talk. "You went to my lodgings?" "Yes." "And secured them for an indefinite time?" "Yes." "And all my clothes and things are as I left them?"