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She felt crushed, overwhelmed, but she could not remain silent; she had

to speak; the eyes of those ere near were fixed upon her waitingly

"I have not told him," she said at last, in a low but clear voice

Lady Luce bit her lip softly, as if very much confused

"I aetic whisper "It was

very foolish of s--it is the

iive et my stupid blunder"

There was an intense silence Nell looked straight before her, as one

looks who hears the knell of the bell which signals the hour of her

execution Drake stood with his hands clasped behind hi on Nell with infinite love and trust

The others glanced from one to the other with doubtful and

half-suspicious looks It seemed as if no one could start a

conversation; the air was heavy with suspense and suspicion The

countess was quick and clever She saw that for Nell's sake the matter

must not be allowed to rest where it was; she knew that Lady Luce would

have effected her purpose and cast a shadow of scandal over Nell's

future life if not another as spoken Convinced that Nell was