Was it any wonder that Nell should lie awake that night asking herself
if this sudden joy and happiness that had come to her was real--that
Drake loved her still--had never ceased to love her--and was hers again?
Perfect happiness in this vale of tears is so rare that we may be
pardoned for viewing it with a certain amount of incredulity, and with a
doubt of its stability and lasting qualities. But Drake's kisses were
still warm on her lips, and his passionate avowal of love still rang in
her ears.
And next morning, almost before she had finished breakfast, down came
the countess to set the seal, so to speak, upon the marvelous fact that
Nell of Shorne Mills was to be the wife of the Earl of Angleford.
Nell, blushing, rose from the table to receive her, and the countess
took and held her hand, looking into the downcast face with the tender
sympathy of the woman, who knows all that love means, for the girl who
has only yet learned the first letters of its marvelous alphabet.
"My dear, you must forgive me for coming so early. Mr. Lorton, if you do
not go on with your breakfast, I will run away again. I am so glad to
meet you. Now, pray, pray, sit down again."
But Dick, who knew that the countess wished to have Nell alone, declared
that he had finished, and took himself off. Then the countess drew Nell
to her and kissed her.
"My dear, I am come to try and tell you how glad I am! Last night Drake
and I sat up late talking of you. He has told me all your story. It is a
romance--a perfect romance! And none the less charming because, unlike
most romances in life, it has turned out happily. And we are all so
pleased, so delighted--I mean up at the Hall; and I am sure the people
on the estate will be as pleased, for I know that you have become a
general favorite, even though you have been here so short a time. Lady
Wolfer begged me to let her come with me this morning, but I would not
yield. I wanted you all to myself. Not that I shall have you for long, I
suppose, for Drake will be sure to be here presently."
Nell's blush grew still deeper. She was touched by the great lady's
kindness, and the tears were very near her eyes.
"Why are you all so glad?" she faltered, gratefully and wonderingly. "I
know that there is a great difference between us. I am--well, I am a
nobody, and Drake is stooping very low to marry me. You must all feel
that."
"My dear," said the countess, with a smile, "no man stoops who marries a
good and innocent girl. It's the other way about--at least, that's my
feeling; but then I'm an American, you know; and we look at things
differently on the other side. But, Nell, we are glad because you have
made Drake happy. None of us could fail to see that he has been wretched
and miserable, but that now he has completely changed. If you had seen
the difference in him last night! But I suppose you did," she put in
naively. "He seemed to have become years younger; his very voice was
changed, and rang with the old ring. And you have worked this miracle!
That is why we are all so delighted and grateful to you."
The tears were standing in Nell's eyes, though she laughed softly.
"And yet--and yet he ought to have married some one of his own rank."
The color rushed to her face. "I did not know who he was when--when I
was first engaged to him at home, at Shorne Mills."
"I know--I know. He has told me the whole story. It was very foolish of
him--foolish and romantic. But, dear, don't you see that it proves the
reality, the disinterestedness of your love for him? And as for the
difference of rank--well, it does not matter in the least. Drake's rank
is so high that he may marry whom he pleases; and he is so rich that
money does not come into the question."
"It is King Cophetua and the beggar maid," murmured Nell.
"If you like; but there is not much of the beggar maid about you, dear,"
retorted the countess, holding Nell at arm's length and scanning the
refined and lovely face, the slim and graceful form in its plain morning
frock. "No, my dear; there is nothing wrong about the affair, excepting
the extraordinary misunderstanding which parted you for a time, and
brought you so much unhappiness. But all that is past now, and you and
he must learn to forget it. And now, my dear, I want you to come up with
me to the Hall."
But Nell shook her head.
"I can't do that, countess," she said. "I can't leave Mr. Falconer. He
is much better and stronger this morning; the nurse says that he slept
all night, for the first time; but he still needs me--and--I owe him so
much!" she added in a low voice.
The countess looked at her keenly for a moment; then she nodded.
"I see. Drake told me that I should find you harder to move than you
look. And I am not sure that you are not right," she said. "When you
come to stay at the Hall it will be as mistress." Nell's face crimsoned
again. "But, my dear girl, we can't pass over the great event as if it
were of no consequence. Drake's engagement, under any circumstances,
would be of the deepest interest to all of us, to the whole country; but
his engagement to you will create a profound sensation, and we must
demonstrate our satisfaction in some way. I'm afraid you will have to
face a big dinner party."
Nell looked rather frightened.
"Oh!" she breathed. "Is--is it necessary? Can't we just go on as if--as
if nothing had happened?"
The countess laughed.
"That's exactly what Drake said when I spoke to him about it last night.
It is nice to find you so completely of one mind. But I'm afraid it
wouldn't do. You see, my dear, the people will want to see you, to be
introduced to you; and if we pursue the usual course there will be much
less talk and curiosity than if we let things slide. Yes, you will have
to run the gauntlet; but I don't think you need be apprehensive of the
result," and she looked at her with affectionate approval.
"Very well," said Nell resignedly. "You know what is best, and I will do
anything you and Drake wish."
"What a dutiful child!" exclaimed the countess, banteringly. "And though
you won't come and stay at the Hall, you will come up and see us very
often, to lunch and tea and----"
"When Mr. Falconer can spare me," said Nell quietly.
"Yes. And about him, dear. We talked of him last night, and his future.
That will be Drake's special care. He, too, owes him a big debt, and he
feels it. Mr. Falconer is a genius, and the world must be made to know
it before very long. And your brother, dear; you will let him come up to
the Hall?"
Nell laughed softly.
"You are thinking of everything," she said. "Even of Dick. Oh, yes,
he'll come. Dick isn't a bit shy; but he thinks more of his electric
machines than anything else on earth just at present."
"I know," said the countess, laughing. "But we must try and lure him
from them now and again. I am sure we shall all like him, for he is
wonderfully like you. Now, about the dinner, dear. Shall we say this day
week?"
"So soon!" said Nell.
"Yes; it mustn't be later, for this wretched trial is coming on; the
assizes are quite close, you know; and Drake will have to be there as
witness. My dear, I'm glad they did not get off with the diamonds! You
little thought that night, when you saved Drake's life, and prevented
the man getting away, that you were fighting for your own jewels."
"Mine!" said Nell.
The countess laughed.
"Why, yes, you dear goose! Are they not the Angleford diamonds, and will
they not soon be yours?"
Nell blushed and looked a little aghast.
"I--I haven't realized it all yet," she said. "Ah! I wish Drake
were--just Drake Vernon! I am afraid when I think----"
The countess smiled and shook her head.
"There is no need to be afraid, my dear," she said shrewdly. "You will
wear the Angleford coronet very well and very gracefully, if I am not
mistaken, because you set so little store by it. And now here comes
Drake! It is good of him to give me so long with you. Give me a kiss
before he comes--he won't begrudge me that surely! Ah, you happy girl!"
Drake drove up in a dogcart.
"I can't get down; the mare won't stand"--he hadn't brought a groom, for
excellent reasons. "Please tell Nell to get her things on as quickly as
she can!" he said to the countess as she came out.
Nell looked doubtful.
"I will go upstairs first," she said. But Falconer was asleep, and when
she came down she had her outdoor things on.
Drake bent down and held out his hand to help her up.
"You won't be long?" she asked, and she looked up at him shyly, for,
after their long separation, he seemed almost strange to her.
"Just as long as you like," he said, understanding the reason for her
question, and glancing at the window of Falconer's room. "Dick tells me
that he is better this morning. I couldn't say how glad I am, dearest
Nell," he whispered, as the mare sprang at the collar and they whirled
through the gates and down the road. "Is it you really who are sitting
beside me, or am I dreaming?"
Nell's hand stole nearer to his arm until it touched it softly.
"I have asked myself that all night, Drake," she said, almost inaudibly.
"It is so much more like a dream than a reality. Are we going through
the village?" she asked, suddenly and shyly.
"Yes," he said. "We are. Nell, I want to show my treasure to the good
folk who have known me since I was a boy. Perhaps the news has reached
the village by this time--for the servants at the Hall know it, and I
want them to see how happy you have made me!"
There could be no doubt of the news having got to the village, for as
the dogcart sped through it the people came to the doors of the shops
and cottages, all alive with curiosity and excitement.
Drake nodded to the curtseys and greetings, and looked so radiantly
happy that one woman, feeling that touch of nature which makes all men
kin, called out to them:
"God bless you, my lord, and send you both happiness!"
"That's worth having, Nell," he said, very quietly; but Nell didn't
speak, and the tears were in her eyes. "A few days ago I should have
laughed or sneered at that benediction," he said gravely. "What a change
has come over my life in a few short hours! There is no magic like that
of love, Nell."
They were silent for some time after they had left the village behind
them, but presently Drake began to call her attention to the various
points of interest in the view; the prosperous farms, and thickly wooded
preserves; and Nell began, half unconsciously, to realize the extent of
the vast estate--the one of many--of which the man she was going to
marry was lord and master.
"I'm going to take you to a farm which has been held by the same family
for several generations," he said. "I think you will like Styles and his
wife; and you won't mind if they are outspoken, dearest? I was here to
lunch only the other day, and Styles read me a lecture on my duties as
lord of Angleford. One of the heads was that I ought to choose a wife
without loss of time. I want to show him that I have taken his sermon to
heart."
"Perhaps he may not approve of your choice," said Nell.
Drake laughed.
"Well, if he doesn't, he won't hesitate to say so," he said.
They pulled up at the farm, and Styles came down to the gate to welcome
them, calling to a lad to hold the mare.
"Yes, we will come in for a minute or two, Styles, if Mrs. Styles will
have us," said Drake.
Mrs. Styles, in the doorway, wiping her hands freshly washed from the
flour of a pudding, smiled a welcome.
"Come right in, my lord," she said. "You know you be welcome well
enough." She looked at Nell, who was blushing a little. "And all the
more welcome for the company you bring."
"Sit down, my lord; sit ye down, miss--or is it 'my lady'?" said Styles,
perfectly at ease in his unaffected pleasure at seeing them.
"This is Miss Lorton, the young lady who is rash enough to promise to be
my wife, Mrs. Styles," said Drake. "I drove over to introduce her to you,
and to show that I took your good advice to heart."
The farmer and his wife surveyed Nell for a moment, then slowly averted
their eyes out of regard for her blushes.
"I make so bold to tell your lordship that you never did a wiser thing
in your life," said Styles quietly, and with a certain dignity; "and if
the young lady be as good as she is pretty--and if I'm anything of a
judge, I bet she be!--there's some sense in wishing your lordship and
her a long life and every happiness."
Drake held out his hand, and laughed like a boy.
"Thanks, Styles," he said. "It was worth driving out for. And I'm happy
enough, in all conscience, for the present."
"I've heard of Miss Lorton, and I've heard naught but good of her," said
Mrs. Styles, eying Nell, who had got one of the children on her knee;
"and to us as lives on the estate, miss, it's a matter of importance who
his lordship marries. It may just mean the difference between good times
or bad. Us don't want his lordship to marry a fine London lady as 'u'd
never be contented to live among us. And there be many such."
Nell fought against her shyness; indeed, she remembered the simple folk
of Shorne Mills, who talked as freely and frankly as this honest couple,
and plucked up courage.
"I'm not a fine London lady, at any rate, Mrs. Styles," she said, with a
smile. "I have lived for nearly all my life in a country village, much
farther away from London than you are; and I know very little of London
life."
"You don't say, miss!" exclaimed Mrs. Styles, much gratified.
"Oh, yes," said Nell, laughing softly. "And I could finish making this
apple pudding, if you'd let me, and boil it after I'd make it."
Mrs. Styles gazed at her in speechless admiration, and Drake laughed
with keen enjoyment of her surprise.
"Oh, yes; Miss Lorton is an excellent cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Styles;
so I hope you are satisfied?"
"That I be, and more, my lord," responded Mrs. Styles. "But, Lor'! your
lordship do surprise me, for she looks no more than a schoolgirl--begging
her pardon."
"Oh, she's wise for her years!" said Drake. "Yes, I'll have a glass of
your home-brewed, Styles."
Mrs. Styles brought some milk and scones for Nell, and the two women
withdrew to the settle and talked like old friends, while Drake, his
eyes and attention straying to his beloved, discussed the burglary at
the Hall with Styles. As Mrs. Styles' topic of conversation was
Drake--Drake as a lad and a young man--Nell was in no hurry to go; but
suddenly she remembered Falconer--he might be wanting her--and she got
up and went to Drake, who, his beloved brier in his mouth, leaned back
in an easy-chair and talked to the farmer as if time were of no
consequence. He sprang up as she approached him.
"Well, good-by, Styles. I said you should dance at my wedding, and so
you shall," he said.
"Thank you, my lord," he responded. "I'll do my best, but I thought your
lordship was only joking. Here's a very good health to you, my lord, and
your future lady."
"And God bless ye both," said Mrs. Styles, in the background.
They drove away in grand style, the mare insisting on putting on frills
and standing on her hind legs; and Drake, when the mare had settled down
to her swinging trot, stole his hand round Nell's waist, and pressed her
to him.
"Do you know why I took you there this morning, Nell?" he said, in a low
voice.
Nell shook her head shyly.
"I'll tell you. The sudden good fortune has seemed so unreal to me that
I haven't been able to realize it, to grasp it. It wasn't enough for the
countess to know and congratulate us--it wasn't enough, somehow. I
wanted some of the people on the estate to see you, and, so to speak,
set their seal on our engagement and approaching marriage. Do you
understand, dearest? I'm not making it very plain, I'm afraid."
But Nell understood, and her heart was brimming over with love for him.
"You have been accepted this morning into the--family, as it were," he
said. "And now I feel as if it were impossible that I should lose you
again. Styles will go down to the inn to-night and talk about our visit,
and give a detailed account of the 'new ladyship,' and everybody on the
estate will know of my good fortune. It is almost as if"--he paused, and
the color rose to his face--"as if we were married, Nell. I feel that
nothing can separate us now."
She said not a word, but she pressed a little closer to him, and he bent
and kissed her.
"You don't mind my taking you to the Styles', dearest?" he asked.
"No, oh, no!" she replied. "I would rather have gone there than to any
of the big houses--I mean the county people, Drake. I like to think I am
not the sort of person they dreaded. What was it? 'A fine London lady.'
Perhaps it would be better for you if I were; but for them--well,
perhaps for them it will be better that I am only one of themselves,
able to understand and sympathize with them. Drake, you will not forget
that I am only a nobody, that I am only Nell of Shorne Mills."
He smiled to himself, for he knew that this girl whom he had won was, by
virtue of her beauty and refinement, qualified to fill the highest place
in that vague sphere which went by the name of "society."
"Don't you worry, dearest," he said. "You have won the heart of the
Styles family; and that is no mean conquest. That farm on the right is
the Woodlands, and that just in front is the Broadlands. You will learn
all the names in time, and I want you to know them; I want you to feel
that you have a part and lot in them. Nell, do you think you will ever
be as fond of this place as you are of Shorne Mills?"
"Yes," she said; "because--it is yours, Drake."
He looked down at her gratefully.
"But you shan't lose Shorne Mills," he said resolutely. "I mean to buy
some land there, and build a house, just on the brow of the hill--you
know, Nell; that meadow above The Cottage?--and we'll go there every
summer, and we'll sail the _Annie Laurie_."
So they talked, with intervals of silence filled with his caresses,
until they reached the lodge. And as they came up to it, they heard the
strains of a violin.
Nell awoke with a start.
"Oh, I had almost forgotten!" she said remorsefully.
"Listen!" Drake whispered.
Nell, in the act of pushing the dust cloak from her, listened.
Falconer was playing the "Gloria in Excelsis."
"Oh, how happy I have been!" she murmured, half guiltily.
"And how happy you will be, Heaven grant it, dearest!" Drake murmured,
as he released her hand and she got down.