ther he should send up to Bond Street
for some jewels for her; but he resisted the temptation. Later on, when
they were married, he would give himself the treat of buying her some of
the things women loved. Even in the matter of the engagement ring he had
held himself in check, and only a very simple affair encircled the third
finger of Nell's left hand.

They found Mrs. Lorton in a flutter of excitement, and she handed Drake
the note of invitation with the air of an empress conferring a patent of
nobility.

"Very good people," she said; "though not, of course, the creme de la
creme. I am included in the invitation, but I shall not accept. The
scene would but recall others of a more brilliant description in which I
once moved--er--not the least of the glittering throng. No, Eleanor, you
will not need a chaperon. You have Drake, who, I trust, will enjoy
himself in what may be novel circumstances," she added, with affable
patronage.

"You will not need a new dress, Eleanor--Dick tells me that he must have
a new suit."

"Oh, no; I am all right!" said Nell cheerfully.

She found that the old frock could, with a little alteration, be
utilized, and for several evenings Drake sat and watched her as she
lengthened the skirt and bestowed new lace and ribbons upon the thing,
and, as he smoked, imagined how she would look on the night of the
dance. He knew that not one of the other women, let them be arrayed in
all the glory of the Queen of Sheba herself, would outshine his star.

CHAPTER XV.

On the night of the fifth Nell sang softly to herself as she stood
before the glass putting the last touches to her, toilet. She was
brimming over with happiness, and as she looked at the radiant
reflection she wondered whether her lover would be satisfied. It is the
question which every woman who loves asks herself. It is for the man of
her heart that she lives and has her being; it is that she may find
favor in his sight that she brushes the hair he has kissed; it is with
the hope that his eye may be caught, his fancy pleased, that she puts
the flower at her bosom or winds the filmy lace around her neck. And it
was of Drake--Drake--Drake--she thought and dreamed as she turned from
the glass and went down the stairs.

She had heard the wheels of the fly he had procured from Shallop, and
she found him in the little hall waiting for her.

He looked up at the lovely vision with startled admiration, for hitherto
he had only