She felt crushed, overwhelmed, but she could not remain silent; she had
to speak; the eyes of those who were 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 am so sorry I spoke!" she said, in an apologetic whisper. "It was
very foolish of me--I am always blurting out awkward things--it is the
impulsive Celtic temperament! Pray forgive me, Miss Lorton, and try and
forget 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 him, his face
perfectly calm, his eyes resting 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 word was spoken. Convinced that Nell was
innocent of even the slightest indiscretion, she felt that it would be
wiser to force Lady Luce's hand.
So she came forward with a smile of tolerant contempt on her pretty,
shrewd face, and said slowly, and with her musical drawl: "Oh, but, Lady Luce, we cannot let you off so easily. What is this
interesting story in which Miss Lorton and Sir Archie Walbrooke are
concerned?"
Lady Luce rose with well-feigned embarrassment.
"Pardon me, Lady Angleford," she said. "I have blundered and have asked
forgiveness; I have not another word to say."
She was crossing the room in front of Drake, and he saw her lip curl
with a faint sneer. He laid his hand upon her arm gently but firmly.
"We will hear the story, if you please, Lady Luce," he said.
She bit her lip, as if she were driven into a corner, and did not know
what to do.
"Not here, at any rate!" she said, in a low voice, and looking round at
the silent group.
Some of them rose and moved away; but Drake held up his hand.
"Oh, do not lose an amusing story!" he said, with a smile eloquent of
contempt. "Now, Lady Luce, if you please."