rom one to the other with doubtful and
half-suspicious looks. It seemed as if no one could start a
conversation; the air was heavy with suspense and suspicion. The
countess was quick and clever. She saw that for Nell's sake the matter
must not be allowed to rest where it was; she knew that Lady Luce would
have effected her purpose and cast a shadow of scandal over Nell's
future life if not another word was spoken. Convinced that Nell was
innocent of even the slightest indiscretion, she felt that it would be
wiser to force Lady Luce's hand.

So she came forward with a smile of tolerant contempt on her pretty,
shrewd face, and said slowly, and with her musical drawl:

"Oh, but, Lady Luce, we cannot let you off so easily. What is this
interesting story in which Miss Lorton and Sir Archie Walbrooke are
concerned?"

Lady Luce rose with well-feigned embarrassment.

"Pardon me, Lady Angleford," she said. "I have blundered and have asked
forgiveness; I have not another word to say."

She was crossing the room in front of Drake, and he saw her lip curl
with a faint sneer. He laid his hand upon her arm gently but firmly.

"We will hear the story, if you please, Lady Luce," he said.

She bit her lip, as if she were driven into a corner, and did not know
what to do.

"Not here, at any rate!" she said, in a low voice, and looking round at
the silent group.

Some of them rose and moved away; but Drake held up his hand.

"Oh, do not lose an amusing story!" he said, with a smile eloquent of
contempt. "Now, Lady Luce, if you please."

She looked from him to Nell.

"What am I to do?" she asked, as if in great distress. "Miss Lorton, you
see my predicament; please come to my aid, and help me to escape. Tell
Lord Angleford that you do not wish me to say any more."

Still looking straight before her, Nell responded, almost inaudibly:

"Speak! Yes--tell them!"

Lady Luce still seemed reluctant; at last she said, with an embarrassed
laugh:

"After all, it may amount to nothing, and you'll be very much
disappointed. Indeed, it is very likely not true."

Her reluctance was not altogether feigned, for it needed even her
audacity and assurance to make such an accusation as she was about to
bring against the future Countess of Angleford, and under her future
roof; but she braced herself to a supreme effort, and, though she was
really as white as Nell, she looked round boldly, as if confident of the
truth of the thing she was