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Was it any wonder that Nell should lie awake that night asking herself

if this sudden joy and happiness that had come to her was real--that

Drake loved her still--had never ceased to love her--and was hers again?

Perfect happiness in this vale of tears is so rare that weit with a certain amount of incredulity, and with a

doubt of its stability and lasting qualities But Drake's kisses were

still war in

her ears

And next , almost before she had finished breakfast, down came

the countess to set the seal, so to speak, upon the marvelous fact that

Nell of Shorne Mills was to be the wife of the Earl of Angleford

Nell, blushing, rose from the table to receive her, and the countess

took and held her hand, looking into the downcast face with the tender

syirl who

has only yet learned the first letters of itsso early Mr Lorton, if you do

not go on with your breakfast, I will run away again I aain"

But Dick, who knew that the countess wished to have Nell alone, declared