"Spectators see more of the game, dear," said Nell softly.
"And in a moment everything was changed; and I knew the truth--that he
loved me--had loved me from the first. We had both been blind. But I was
the worst; for I, being a woman, ought to have seen that his coldness
was only the screen which his pride erected between his heart and the
woman whom he thought had only married him for position. We went away
together that day--our real honeymoon. Forgive me, Nell, if--if I almost
forgot you! Happiness makes us selfish, dear! But I did not forget you
for long. And he--Nell, why does he always speak of you as if he owed
you something----"
She broke off, looking at Nell with a puzzled air.
Nell smiled enigmatically, but said nothing.
"Nell, dear, he bade me bring you back with me."
Nell shook her head.
"You will not? But you will come and stay with us; you will bring your
brother? Make your home with us while we are in town, at any rate, dear.
Ah, don't be stubborn, Nell! Somehow, I feel as if--as if I owed my new
happiness to you--that's strange, isn't it? But it is so. And you will
come?"
But Nell was wise in her generation, and remained firm.
"I must stay with Dick," she said. "We are all and all to each other.
But you shall come and see me sometimes, if you will promise to be good,
and not try and persuade me into leaving that sphere in which the Fates
have placed me."
Lady Wolfer sighed.
"You little mule! You always had your own way while you were at Wolfer
House, and I see you haven't changed. But I give you fair warning, Nell,
that one day I shall take you at your weakest, and bear you away from
this--this awful place! It is not fitting that you should be here! Dear,
don't forget that you are a relation of mine!"
"A poor relation," said Nell, laughing softly. "And, like all poor
relations, to be kept at a proper distance. Go now, dear; that coachman
of yours is getting anxious about his horses."
Lady Wolfer pleaded hard, but Nell remained firm.
Her ladyship was welcome to visit at Beaumont Buildings as often as she
chose, but Beaumont Buildings would keep itself to itself; and, at last,
her brougham drove away.
It had scarcely turned the corner before Falconer knocked at the
Lortons' door.
"Gone!" he said.
"Yes, quite gone," said Nell cheerfully, but thoughtfully. "Come and
have your tea; and I'll have another cup."