"When I heard that he had been injured, I wished with all my heart that

the man had got clear off with the miserable diamonds--I was going to

say 'my' miserable diamonds, but they are only mine for a time. But I am

sure Lord Angleford joins me in that wish. All the diamonds in the world

are not worth rescuing at such a price as Mr. Falconer--and you--have

paid. I hope you can tell us he is better. We are all terribly anxious

about him."

Now, even in the stress and strain of the moment, Nell noticed a certain

significance in the countess' tone, a personal sympathy with herself,

conveyed plainly by the "and you," and it puzzled her. But she put the

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faint wonder aside.

"I don't know," she said simply. "He is very ill--he was badly stabbed.

He has been delirious most of the night----"

"My poor Nell!" murmured Lady Wolfer, pressing her hand.

"I hope the nurse you have in to help you is a good one," said the

countess, as if she took it for granted that Nell was also nursing him.

"If not, we will send to London for one; indeed, Sir William may bring

one with him. I don't know what Lord Angleford telegraphed."

"I wish we could do something for you, Nell," whispered Lady Wolfer.

"Only last night, before the burglary, we were arranging that we would

come down here and carry you--by main force, if necessary--up to the

Hall. And now----But, dear, you must not lose heart! He may not be badly

hurt; and the surgeons do such wonderful things now. Perhaps, when Sir

William comes, he may tell you that there is no danger whatever, and

that you will have him well again before very long."

Her eyes dwelt on Nell's with tender pity and womanly sympathy; and

Nell, still puzzled, could only remain silent. As if she could not say

enough, Lady Wolfer drew her to the window, and continued, in a lower

voice: "I meant to congratulate you, Nell, and I do. I--we all admired him so

much the other night, little guessing the truth; and now that he has

proved himself as brave as he is clever, one can understand your losing

your heart to him. All the same, dear, I think he is a very--very lucky

man."

The red stained Nell's face, and then left it pale again. She opened her

lips to deny that she and Falconer were engaged, but at that moment a

dogcart drove through the gate and stopped at the lodge.




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