Drake's announcement was received with amazed silence for a moment; then
Dick flung up his piece of bread behind his back, caught it dexterously,
and burst out with: "See the conquering hero comes! Hurrah! Nell--Nell! Don't run away! Wait
for the congratulations of your devoted brother!"

But Nell had fled to her room, and, on pretense of chivying her, Dick
discreetly withdrew, leaving Drake to the inevitable interview with Mrs.
Lorton.

"I'm sure I don't know what to say," she murmured. "It is so unexpected,
so quite unlooked for. It is like a bolt out of the green----" She meant
blue, but had got the colors mixed. "I had no idea that you had any
serious intentions!"

Then she remembered that she had to play the part of guardian, and
endeavored to fill the rôle with the dignity due to a lady of her
exalted birth.

"I need not say that I--er--congratulate you, Mr. Vernon. Eleanor is
a--er--dear girl; she has been the comfort and consolation of my life,
and--er--the parting with her will be a great--a very great--trial.
Pardon my emotion!" She snuffed into a handkerchief, and wiped her eyes
with a delicate touch or two. "But I should not dream of standing in the
way of her happiness. No! If she has made her heart's choice, I shall
not attempt to dissuade her. And I feel that she has chosen wisely. Of
course, my dear Mr. Vernon, though we have had the pleasure of your
presence with us for some time, we do not--er--know----"