ed if ever you
came to London she'd have the luck to see you, though it might be from a
distance."

Nell nodded gratefully.

"Not that I am at all likely to go to London," she said, with a laugh.
"If I did, I should be sure to go and see Emma."

Emma's mother glanced curiously at Drake; and he understood the
significance of the glance, but Nell was evidently unconscious of its
meaning.

"And this is the gentleman as is staying at the cottage, Miss Nell?" she
said. "I hope your arm's better, sir?"

Drake made a suitable and satisfactory response, and Nell, having talked
to the two little girls, who had got as near to her as their shyness
would permit, rose.

"Thank you so much for the milk and cakes, Mrs. Trimble," she said. "We
were quite famishing, weren't we?"

"Quite famished," assented Drake.

Mrs. Trimble beamed.

"You be main welcome, Miss Nell, as 'ee knows full well; I wish 'ee
could ride out to us every day. And that's a beautiful horse you're on,
miss, surely!"

"Isn't it?" said Nell. "It's Mr. Vernon's; he is kind enough to lend it
to me."

Mrs. Trimble glanced significantly again at Drake; but again Nell failed
to see or understand the quick, intelligent question in the eyes.

"Speakin' o' Emma, I've got her letter in my pocket, Miss Nell; and I'm
thinkin' I'll give it 'ee; for the address, you know. It's on the top,
writ clear, and if you should go to London----"

Nell took the precious letter, and put it with marked carefulness in the
bosom of her habit.

"I shall like to read it, Mrs. Trimble. Emma and I were such good
friends, weren't we? And I'll be sure to let you have it back."

The whole of the family crowded out to see Miss Nell of Shorne Mills
drive off, and Drake had to maneuver skillfully to get a coin into
Bobby's chubby, and somewhat grubby, hand unseen by Nell.

They rode on in silence for a time. The scene had impressed Drake. The
affection of the whole of them for Nell had been so evident, and the
sweet simplicity of her nature had displayed itself so ingenuously, that
he felt--well, as he had felt once or twice coming out of church.

Then he remembered the woman's significant glance, and his conscience
smote him. No doubt all Shorne Mills was connecting his name with hers.
Yes; he must go.

She was singing softly as she rode beside him, and they exchanged
scarcely half a dozen sentences on the way home; but yet Nell seemed
happy and content, and as she slipped from