Nell sprang in front of it.
"No," she said, in a low voice. "It is I who will ring, and it is the
earl who shall come."
Sir Archie stood, his hand outstretched to push her aside. Men of his
class and character dislike a scene. He was not physically afraid of
Lord Wolfer, but--a scene and a scandal which would leave Lady Wolfer at
Wolfer House, while he was turned out, was a contretemps to be avoided,
if possible.
"You must be mad!" he said, between his teeth. "Worse; you are laboring
under a hideous mistake. She loves me, and you know it--she has never
cared for Lord Wolfer. Please stand aside."
He put out his hand to gently remove her from before the bell, and at
his touch the strain which Nell was undergoing became too tense for
endurance. The color left her face and left it deathly white. With a
faint moan she put her hand to her throat as if she were choking, and
swayed to and fro as if she were giddy.
Sir Archie caught her just in time.
"Good heavens, don't faint!" he exclaimed, in a horrified whisper.
At the sound of his voice, at his touch, Nell recovered her full
consciousness.
"Let me go! Don't touch me!" she breathed, with a shudder; but, before
she could free herself from his hold, the door opened, and the earl
entered.
With an oath, Sir Archie turned and glared at him, and Nell sank against
the mantelshelf, and leaned there, faint and trembling.
The two men stood quite still and looked at each other. In these days we
have taught ourselves to take the most critical moments of our lives
quietly. There is no loud declamation, no melodramatic denunciation, no
springing at each other's throats, or flashing of swords. We carry our
wrongs to the law courts, and an aged gentleman in an ermine tippet, and
a more or less grimy wig, avenges us--with costs and damages.
The earl was pale enough, and his eyes wore a stern expression as they
rested upon his "friend"; but yet there was something in his face which
seemed to indicate relief; and, presently, after a moment which seemed
an age to Nell, his gaze left the other man's face and fixed itself on
her.
"Were you going out with Sir Archie Walbrooke, Miss Lorton?" he asked
coldly.
Sir Archie started slightly, and would have spoken, but Nell looked at
him quickly, a look which smote him to silence. She, too, remained
silent, her hands clasped, her eyes fixed on the ground.