"Hope told me," said Wilmot, "that it would have been but a sorry affair without Miss Arundel." He looked across to where Nellie sat, so quiet and gentle, stitching away at her work. "That's always what our Nellie is!" exclaimed Arthur. "The best little woman in the world." "Hush, Arthur," said Nellie, looking pained; "you know you always think too well of me." "Do I, though?" he answered. "What should we do without you, I should like to know?" "You have not need to think," said Nellie, "as here I am." Wilmot soon after this said he thought he had better go. He was pressed to stay to supper, but replied that, if they would allow him, he would come another day and do that. "It is most delightful to be admitted into a family circle," he added, as he shook hands with Dr. Arundel; "I have so few friends in London." "We shall be pleased to see you whenever you can look in," answered Dr. Arundel, feeling what a pleasant change it had been from his sad thoughts, and thinking also what a nice friend Wilmot would be for Arthur. On the following Sunday, as Nellie, Arthur, and the little girls returned from church in the evening, Wilmot joined them, having been to their service. "I wanted to see you for a few minutes," he said, coming close to Nellie's side and speaking in a slightly lowered tone. "Did you?" asked Nellie. "Yes; I was a little disappointed the other night when I came. You said you would be glad to see me." "I said—," answered Nellie, hesitating. "I remember every word. But you implied you would be glad to see me." Nellie was silent. Oh, what a hard struggle it was not to answer in commonplace phrase that she was glad! But her innate truthfulness refused, and she said nothing. Arthur, noticing that Mr. Elliot seemed to have something to say to Nellie, joined his little sisters, and Wilmot went on— "You know we were to be friends." "I hope we shall be," she answered gently. "Then you must be kind to me," he said. She made no answer to this, and Netta ran up and told her it was beginning to rain. "I have felt the drops," said Nellie. "We must hurry home." "I must say good-bye for to-day then," said Wilmot. "Good-bye," said Nellie, holding out her hand. "I shall come soon," he said; "for I cannot keep away." Nellie raised her eyes at last and met his. "You must not be offended," she said very low; "but I am very busy at home, and my dear father has only me." He looked at her suddenly, and then pressing her hand warmly, turned away. "That's nonsense," he said to himself as he walked homewards, "perfect nonsense. I'm not going to be forgotten because she is busy at home!" [Illustration] CHAPTER XXI. AN UNEXPECTED ANSWER.