"Perhaps you will be spared that pain," she said. "I may be a
wallflower, waiting for you to take pity on me."
"Yes, I should think that very probable," he retorted ironically. "Oh,
Nell, how I love you, how proud----"
Dick came out of the dining room at that moment, and at sight of Nell
fell back against the wall in an assumed swoon.
"Is it--can it be--the simple little fishergirl of Shorne Mills? My
aunt, Nell, you do look a swell! Got 'em all on, Drake, hasn't she?
Miss Eleanor Lorton as Cinderella! Kiss your brother, Nell!"
He made a pretended rush at her with extended arms, and Nell shrieked
apprehensively: "Keep him off, Drake! He'll crush my dress! Dick--Dick, you dare!"
Dick winked at Drake.
"You are requested not to touch the figure. Drake, have you observed and
noticed this warning? But so it is in this world! One man may kiss this
waxwork, while another isn't permitted to lay a finger on it. Now, are
we going to the Maltbys' dance, or have you decided to remain here and
spoon? And hasn't any one a word of approval for this figure? Between
you and me, Drake, I rather fancy myself to-night. I do hope I shan't
break any young thing's heart, for I'm not--I really am not--a marrying
man. Seen too much of the preliminary business with other people, you
know."
They got into the fly, laughing, and Drake, as they drove along,
compared this departure for a simple country dance with his past
experiences. How seldom had he gone to a big London crush without
wishing that he could stay at home and smoke or read!
"Remember," he whispered to Nell, as they alighted at the Grange, "your
first dance and as many as you can give me!"
One or two other carriages set down at the same time, and they entered
the hall, a portion of a small crowd, so that Lady Maltby, a buxom,
smiling lady of the good old type of the country baronet's wife, had
only time to murmur a few words; and Drake passed on with Nell on his
arm.
As they went up the room, a dance started, and he drew Nell aside, and
standing by her, looked round curiously and a trifle apprehensively. But
there was no person whom he knew, and Sir William, who came up to them,
had even got Drake's name wrongly.
"Glad to see you, Miss Lorton. Dear, dear! how the young ones do grow!
Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Verney Blake, and to congratulate
you. I think I've met a relative of yours--an uncle, I fancy----"