"Oh, yes. I've got no end of messages. She's had your letters, all of 'em; and she hopes that you are taking advantage of your splendid position. Is it a splendid position, Nell? They seemed to think me of some consequence when I mentioned, dissembling my pride in the connection, that I was your brother." Nell nodded. "Yes, yes; it is all right, and I am quite--happy. And Shorne Mills, Dick, are they all well?" "And kicking. I've got a hundred messages which you can sum up in 'love from all.' And, Nell, I've only time to say how are you, for I'm going to catch the Irish mail. Fact! Bardsley & Bardsley are sending me to some engineering work there. How's that for high? Ah, would you!" gingerly whisking his hat behind him. "Keep off; and, Nell, how's Drake?" The abrupt question sent the blood rushing through Nell's face, and then as suddenly from it, leaving it stone white. "Drake--Mr. Vernon?" she said, almost inaudibly. "I--I do not know. I--I have not seen--heard." "No? That's rum! I should have thought that tiff was over by this time. Can't make it out! What have you been doing, Miss Lorton?" Nell bravely tried to smile. "You--you have seen him? You never wrote and told me, Dick! You--you gave him my note?" Dick nodded rather gravely. "Yes." "And--and----" She could not speak. "Oh, yes; I gave it him, and he said----Well, he looked broken up over it; quite broken up. He said--let me see; I didn't pay very much attention because I thought he'd write to you and see you. They generally wind up that way, after a quarrel, don't they?" "It does not matter. No, I have not seen or heard," said Nell. "Well, he said: 'Tell her that it's quite true.' Dashed if I know what he meant! And that he wouldn't worry you, but would obey you and not write or see you. I think that was all." It was enough. If the faintest spark of hope had been left to glow in Nell's bosom, Drake's message extinguished it. Her head dropped for a moment, then she looked up bravely. "It was what I expected, Dick. It--was like him. No, no; don't speak; don't say any more about it. And you'll stay, Dick? Lady Wolfer will be glad to see you. They are all so kind to me, and----" "I'm so glad to hear that," said Dick; "because if they hadn't been I should have insisted upon your going home. But I suppose they really are kind, and don't starve you, though you are so thin." "It's the London air, or want of air," said Nell. "And mamma, does she"--she faltered wistfully--"miss me?" "We all miss you--especially the butcher and the baker," replied Dick diplomatically. "And now I'm off. And, Nell--oh, do mind my hat!--if you know Drake's address, I should like to write to him." She shook her head.