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Nell and Drake withdrew to the , their heads reverently bent

He played slowly, softly at first, a sad and yet exquisitely sweet

h not the less sweet, and the

tiny roo with music which expressed a joy which only

rasped it firmly Her head

drooped and the tears rose to her eyes, and soon began to trickle down

her cheeks The exquisite music seemed to reach her soul and raise it to

the seventh heaven, in even which there are tears

"Drake!" she murmured "Drake!"

"Nell, my dearest!" he responded, in a whisper

Then suddenly the music ceased Falconer slowly dropped the violin on

the bed and fell back, his eyes closed, his face as cal to sleep

"Go nohispered Nell; and Drake stole fro beside the musician, who had apparently fallen asleep

Drake went down the stairs like ain his ears, and walked up to the Hall

The countess met him as he entered, and he took her hand and led her

into the library without a word