show. Oh, worse than a serpent's tooth, it is to have an
ungrateful sister!"

"I thought it was a new dress," remarked Falconer, still eying it and
the wearer intently.

Nell shook her head, coloring a little, as she said:

"No; I wanted to wear this one. I didn't want to appear in a grand frock
as if I were a fashionable lady."

"Fine feathers do not always make a fine lady," observed Dick,
addressing the ceiling. "No one would mistake you for anything
but--what you are, a simple ch-e-ild of Nachure."

"Don't tease her, Dick," remonstrated Falconer; but Nell laughed with
enjoyment.

"I don't mind in the least, Mr. Falconer. It's quite true, too; my plain
frock is more suitable than anything Worth could turn out."

"My dear Falconer, I'm sorry to see you so easily imposed on. Don't you
see that she's as vain as a peacock, and that she's only playing at the
humble and meek? Besides, I expect that idiot Drake--who slipped out
just as we came down--he'll be late for dinner if he doesn't mind!--has
been telling her that she looks rather pretty----"

Nell blushed, for Drake had indeed told her that she looked more than
pretty.

"And, of course, she believes him. She'd believe him if he told her that
the moon was made of green cheese. Put that cushion down, my child, or
it will be worse for you. And I hope you will behave yourself properly
to-night. Remember that the brother who has brought you up with such
anxious care will be present, to say nothing of the friend to whose
culture and refined example you owe so much. Don't forget that it is bad
manners to put your knife in your mouth, or to laugh too loudly.
Remember we shall be watching you closely and anxiously."

"It is time we started," said Falconer. "Let me put that shawl more
closely round you, Miss Lorton. It's a fine night, but one cannot be too
careful."

It was so fine that they had decided to walk the short distance to the
Hall; and they set out, Falconer with his precious violin in its case
under his arm, and Dick smoking a cigarette. They were all rather silent
as they approached the great house, and Dick, looking up at it, said
with a gravity unusual with him:

"It's hard to realize that you are going to be the mistress of this huge
place, Nell."

Nell made no response; but she, too, looked up at the house with the
same thought.

Indeed, it was hard to realize. But the next moment Drake came out to
meet them, and took her upon his arm, with