Nell shook her head.
"See, Dick, I've some news for you," she said. "I am going to London."
She gave him the letter to read, and he read it, with a running
commentary of indignant and scoffing exclamations.
"Of all the pompous, stuck-up letters, it's the worst I ever imagined!
And you say you're going? Oh, but look here! What will Drake say?"
Nell turned away.
"I don't think he will object," she said, almost inaudibly.
Dick stared at her.
"Look here, young party, what is up between you two? Is there anything
wrong? Oh, dash it! don't look as if I'd said there was a ghost behind
you! What is it?"
"Drake--Drake and I are not going to be married," she said, trying to
smile, but breaking down in the attempt. "We--we have agreed--to--to
part!"
Dick uttered a low whistle, and gazed at her, aghast.
"All off!" he said. "Phew! Why--when--how?"
She began to collect some of her small belongings--a tiny workbasket,
some books, and such like, and answered as she moved to and fro,
studiously keeping her face turned away from him: "I can't tell you; don't ask me, Dick. Don't--don't ask him. It--it is
all right. It is all for the best, as mamma would say; and--and----" She
went behind him and laid her hand on his shoulder, her favorite attitude
when she was serious or pleading. "And mind, Dick, it is to make no
difference between you--and Drake. It--is--yes, it is all my fault. I--I
was foolish and----"
She could bear no more; and, with a quick movement of her hand to her
throat, hastened from the room.
Dick looked after her ruefully for a moment or two, then his face
cleared, and he winked to himself.
"What an ass I am to be upset by a lovers' quarrel. Of course, it's all
in the game. The other business would pall after a time if there wasn't
a little of this kind of thing chucked in for a change. I wonder whether
that jolly girl, Miss Angel, will come down to the lunch? Now, there's a
girl no chap could have even a lovers' quarrel with. Poor old Drake! Bet
I shall find 'em billing and cooing as usual when I come back," And Dick
grinned as he marched off with his gun.