Page 318 (1/2)

"My dear," said the countess, with a sirl It's the other way about--at least, that's ; but then I's

differently on the other side But, Nell, we are glad because you have

made Drake happy None of us could fail to see that he has been wretched

and ed If you had seen

the difference in hiht! But I suppose you did," she put in

na&iuer; his very voice was

changed, and rang with the old ring And you have worked this rateful to you"

The tears were standing in Nell's eyes, though she laughed softly

"And yet--and yet he ought to have married some one of his own rank"

The color rushed to her face "I did not knoho he hen--when I

was first engaged to him at home, at Shorne Mills"

"I know--I know He has told me the whole story It was very foolish of

him--foolish and romantic But, dear, don't you see that it proves the

reality, the disinterestedness of your love for him? And as for the