Part 71 (1/2)

They crossed the terrace, when two or three persons came out through a window behind them. They were talking, and Nell heard a voice which made her wince, and her hand grip Falconer's arm convulsively; for the voice was Drake's.

”They have a fine night to go home in,” he was saying. ”Not much of a moon, but better than none.”

Nell stopped and looked despairingly at the patch of light which the window threw right across their path to the steps.

”Come quickly,” said Falconer, in a low voice.

”No, no; we shall be seen!” she implored, in an agitated whisper.

But Falconer deemed it best to go on, and did so.

As they moved, Drake saw them, but indistinctly.

”Good-night, once more!” he called out, in the tone of a host speeding parting guests.

Falconer raised his soft felt hat.

”Good-night, my lord,” he responded. At the same moment they stepped into the stream of light. Drake had been on the point of turning away, but as he recognized Falconer's voice and figure, he stopped and took a step toward them. Then, as suddenly, he stopped again, gazing after them as a man who gazes at a vision of the fancy.

”Who--who is that?” he demanded, almost fiercely.

Lady Luce was just behind him.

”That was the man who played the violin,” she said. ”Didn't you recognize him? How romantic he looks! Quite the idea of a musician.”

Drake put his hand to his brow and stood still, looking after the two figures, now disappearing in the darkness, made more intense by the contrasting streaks of light from the windows.

”My G.o.d! How like!” he muttered, taking a step or two forward unconsciously.

But Lady Luce's voice aroused him from the half stupor into which he had fallen, and he turned back to her.

”I must be mad or dreaming!” he muttered. ”What folly! And yet how like--how like!”

”Why, what is the matter, Drake?” asked Lady Luce, laying her hand on his arm, and looking up at him anxiously. ”You are quite pale. You look”--she laughed--”as if you had seen a ghost!”

He smiled grimly. She had described his feelings exactly. In the resemblance of the girl, whoever she was, on the violinist's arm, he had in very truth seen the ghost of Nell of Shorne Mills.

Nell hurried Falconer along, but presently was forced to stop to regain her breath. Her heart was beating so wildly that she had to fight against the sensation of suffocation which threatened to overcome her.

”Let us wait a minute,” said Falconer gently. ”You are nervous, overtired. We will wait here.”

But Nell had got her breath again by this time.

”No, no!” she said, almost vehemently. ”Let us go. I know the way----”

”d.i.c.k will be waiting for us at the door of the east wing,” he said. ”If you can find that----”

”I know,” she said quickly. ”That is it on our left. But--but I do not want to see any one.”

”All the guests are leaving by the front of the house; we are not likely to meet any one.”

He was somewhat surprised at her agitation, and her evident desire to leave the place unseen; for Nell was usually so perfectly self-possessed and free from nervousness or gaucherie.