He sat down at the table. Tea is a serious meal at Beaumont Buildings,
and is eaten at the table, not in chairs scattered over the room. But
Falconer set his cup down at the first sip and pushed his plate away.
"I know the sequel of this comedy," he said.
"What do you mean?" asked Nell, staring at him.
"Enter swell friend. 'Found at last! Ah, leave this abode of poverty and
squalor. Come with me!' and the heroine goeth."
Nell laughed.
"How foolish you are, Mr. Falconer! The heroine--if you mean me--does
not 'goeth,' but remains where she is."
"Do you mean it?" he asked, the color rising to his pale face.
"Yes," she said, with a cheerful nod.
"Then pass the toast," he said. "I breathe again, and tea is possible.
But she wanted you to go? Don't deny it!"
Nell's pale face flushed.
"Yes. She wanted me to go; but I would not. I am going to remain at
Beaumont Buildings," said Nell resolutely.
As she spoke, the door opened, and Dick entered quickly. His face and
hands were smudgy, but his eyes were bright in their rings of smoke and
smut.
"Hallo, Nell; hallo, Falconer!" he cried. "Eaten all the tea? Hope not,
for I'm famishing. Nell, I've got some news for you--wait till I've
cleaned myself."
"No, you don't!" said Falconer, catching him by the arm. "What is it?"
"Oh, not much. Only there's a chance of our leaving these beastly
Buildings. I've got to go down to a place in the country to manage some
water works, and install the electric light."
Falconer's face fell for a moment, then he smiled cheerfully.
"Congratulations, old fellow!" he said. "When do you go?"
"Oh, in about a fortnight. That's what kept me late. Think of it! The
country, Nellakins! Jump for joy, but don't upset the tea things!"
"Where is it, Dick?" she asked, as he went to the door.
"At a place called Anglemere. One of the ancestral halls, don't you
know. 'Historic Castles of England' kind of place."
"Anglemere?" said Nell, wrinkling her brows. "I seem to remember it."