he a very great friend of yours?" asked Nell, rather mechanically,
her eyes wandering from one face to another.

"Yes, very great," replied the undersecretary, with a warmth which one
does not look for in a professional politician. "We were at Eton
together, and we saw a great deal of each other afterward, though he
went into the army, and I, for my sins, fell into politics. He is one of
the best of fellows, an Admirable Crichton, at once the envy and the
despair of his companions. There is scarcely anything that Selbie
doesn't do, and he does all things well--the best shot, the best rider,
the best fencer, the best dancer of his set, and the best-hearted. Poor
old chap!"

It was evident that he had, in his enthusiasm, almost forgotten his
auditor.

"Where is he now?" asked Nell. "I heard Lady Angleford say that he is
abroad."

"Yes. No one knows where he is. He has disappeared. It sounds a strong
word, but it is the only one that will meet the case. And perhaps it was
the best thing he could do. When a man's prospects are blighted, and his
ladylove has jilted him----"

Nell turned quickly. She had tried to remember the whole of the
paragraph she had read to Drake, but she could not.

"What was the name of the lady who--who jilted him?" she asked.

Sir Charles was about to reply, and if he had spoken, Nell would have
learned Drake's identity; but at that moment there came a lull in the
conversation, and before it had recommenced, the prime minister leaned
forward and asked a question of his friend. The answer led to a general
discussion, and at its close Lady Wolfer smiled and raised her eyebrows
at the duchess, received a responsive nod, and the ladies rose.

Sir Archie was the gentleman nearest the door, and he opened it for
them. As Lady Wolfer was passing through, a flower fell from the bosom
of her dress. He picked it up and held it out to her, with a bow and a
smile; but she had turned to say something to the lady behind her, and
he drew his hand back and concealed the flower in it.

Nell, who chanced to be looking at him, was, perhaps, the only one who
saw the action, and she thought little of it. He could scarcely
interrupt Lady Wolfer by a too-insistent restoration of the blossom.

With the flower in his hand, Sir Archie went back to the table. The
other men had closed up near the earl, but Sir Archie retained his seat.
He allowed the butler to fill his glass and raised it to his lips with
his righ