t it would be impossible to make even a pretense of eating or
drinking, had begged them to excuse her; and when they had gone and the
gallery was empty, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her
eyes; for she was well-nigh exhausted by the conflicting emotions which
racked her. She longed to go, to leave the place, to escape from the
risk of Drake's presence; but she could not leave the house alone, and
to go from the gallery and absent herself for the rest of the evening
might attract notice and comment.

Was it possible that Drake had been near her, so near as to almost have
touched her? She trembled--and thrilled--at the thought; then crimsoned
with shame for the sinful thrill of joy and happiness which his nearness
had caused her.

What was he to her now? Nothing, nothing! She had yielded him up to the
beautiful woman he had loved before he saw her, Nell; and it was
shameful and unwomanly that she should feel a joy in his proximity.

Falconer came up before the rest of the orchestra, and brought a glass
of wine and a biscuit for her.

"I am afraid you have a headache, the lights and the music--they are so
near; and it is hot up here. Will you drink some of this, Miss Lorton?"

His voice was low and tender, though he strove to give it a conventional
touch and merely friendly tone.

"Thank you, yes," said Nell gratefully. "How good of you to think of me!
How magnificently you played! I can't tell you how happy your success
has made me! And such a success! I was as proud as if it were I who was
playing; and I was prouder still when I saw how quietly you took it.
Ah, you felt that it was just your due. I suppose genius always takes
the crowd's applause calmly."

His face flushed, and his dark eyes glowed.

"There is some applause I, at any rate--who am no genius,
however--cannot take calmly," he said. "I would rather have those words
of approval from you than the shouting and clapping of a multitude. Yes,
it made me happy; but I am happier now than words can express."

If Nell had looked up into the eyes bent on hers, she must have read his
secret in them; but the band had begun to play, and at that moment Drake
was leading Lady Luce to her place for the cotillon, and Nell's eyes
were drawn, riveted to the fair face, the blue eyes shining
triumphantly; and she forgot not only Falconer's presence, but his
existence.

As he saw that she did not heed him, the color died out from his face,
and the ligh