appearance? Ah! why that crimson blush which
stains your nose----"

Nell broke from him--half ashamedly, for was she, indeed, blushing?--and
ran to make the toast, and Dick went to the gate to watch for Drake.

Drake found the Brownies expecting him, and was shown the tiny sitting
room and bedroom they had hastily prepared; and, his luggage having
arrived, he had a wash and a change.

And as he dried himself on the lavender-scented towel, he invented an
excuse for his return. He was filled with a strange gladness; the surge
of the waves as they beat against the jetty sang a welcome to him; he
could hear the fishermen calling to each other, as they cleaned their
boats, or whistling as they sat on the jetty spreading their nets to
dry; it was more like coming back to his birthplace, or some spot in
which he had lived for years, than to the little seaside village which
he had seen for the first time a few weeks ago.

As he went up slowly to The Cottage, every man, woman, and child he met
touched his hat or curtsied and smiled a welcome to him, and Dick's
"Hallo, Mr. Vernon! then it is you, and Nell wasn't spoofing us. How are
you? Come in!" went straight to his heart.

He went in with his hand on the boy's shoulder, and was received by Mrs.
Lorton with a mixture of stately dignity and simpering pleasure, which,
however, no longer roused his irritation and impatience.

"I am quite sure you will not be comfortable at the Brownies', Mr.
Vernon," she said; "and I need not say that we shall be glad if you are
not. Your room awaits you whenever you feel inclined to return to
it--Richard, tell Eleanor that we are ready for the tea. And how did
you leave London, Mr. Vernon? I am aware that it is not the season; but
there are always some good families remaining in town," et cetera.

Drake answered with as fair an imitation of interest as he could manage;
then Nell came in, followed by Molly, with the tea. There was no longer
any sign of a blush on the girl's face, but the gray eyes were still
bright, and a smile--such a tender, joyous, sunny smile--lurked in
ambush at the corners of her sweet lips. She did not look at him, and
was quite busy with the teacups and saucers; but she listened to every
word he said, as if every word were too precious to miss.

"I was obliged to come down--the horses, you know," he said, as if that
fully explained his return; "and, to tell you the truth, my dear Mrs.
Lorton, I was very glad of th