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Sir Archie would be, then, in the library at seven o'clock; he would ask

for the countess; she would go to him, and--Nell shuddered, and walked

up and down If there were any one to whoo for advice! But

there was no one At all costs, the truth must be kept from the earl;

his wifeand inexperienced girl; but,

despite her youth and inexperience, the note could scarcely have fallen

into better hands than Nell's; for she possessed courage, and was not

afraid for herself Most girls, keenly though they ht desire to save

their friend, would have destroyed the note and left the rest to

Providence; but Nell's spirit had been trained in the bracing air of

Shorne Mills, and her views tempered by many a tussle with tide and wind

in the _Annie Laurie_; and the pluck which lay dorle for her friend's safety She had grown

to love the woht,

and she meant to save her But how? Sir Archie would be there at seven,

and Lady Wolfer norance of his presence; and he must

be sent away convinced of the hopelessness of his passion