Page 25 (1/2)

Nell dropped the paper and struggled with a portentous yawn

"Thank you very much, Miss Lorton," said Mr Vernon politely, with a

half smile on his i"

Nell stared at hi the irony in his eyes and on his lips,

sht for the moment that you meant it," she said quietly

Mrs Lorton heard, and sniffed at her

"My dear Eleanor, what do you mean?" she inquired stiffly "Of course,

Mr Vernon is interested Why should he say so if he were not? I' but fiction has

any clai real and true is of no

account I ular, but I find that these

small details of the lives of our aristocracy are full of interest, not

to say edifying What do you think, Mr Vernon?"

He had been gazing absently out of the , but he pulled hiether, and came up to the scratch with a jerk

"Certainly, certainly," he said

Mrs Lorton srees with o and see if

Molly has put the jelly in theto cool Meanwhile, Mr Vernonto him"

Mr Vernon rose to open the door for her--Nell noticed the act of

courtesy--then sank down again