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"What was the name of the lady ho 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

theh, a flower fell from the bosom

of her dress He picked it up and held it out to her, with a bow and a

s 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 right hand; then, after a moment or two, he took the flower from his

left and fixed it in the buttonhole of his coat