Page 191 (1/2)

"Yes?" he said, with suppressed eagerness and anxiety "What is it? I--I

alanced at his watch "Won't she see o up and ask her I shan't detain her more than a minute"

"No; she cannot see you," said Nell "I a her"

He looked at her steadily, gnawing his lip softly

"I--I don't understand," he said, still trying to s--abroad?"

Nell inclined her head gravely

"Yes? But didn't she tell you that--that I o?

That--that it is important?"

"She cannot see you," said Nell, her heart beating fast "She wishes you

to go, and--and to remain abroad----"

His face crimsoned, then went pale

"You know--she has told you hy I have co?" he said,

in a low voice

"Yes, I know," assented Nell, the sha her face

He stared at her for a moment in silence; then he said, half defiantly,

half sullenly: "Very well, then If you knohy I ae, that I cannot go--without her For Heaven's sake,

Miss Lorton, go and fetch her! There is no ti your pardon; I' her! If I could see her, speak to her

for a moment----"

Nell shook her head