"Then she died; and the Bardsleys offered Dick a situation--it was very
kind and unusual, Dick says, and he cannot quite understand it even
now--and, of course, we had to come to London----"

She stopped, and Lady Wolfer looked round and out of the window.

"No; we had to live in London, to be near the works, you know. We are
very comfortable and happy."

"My poor Nell!"

"Oh, but don't pity us," said Nell, smiling. "You don't know how jolly
we are, and how full of amusement our life is. We even go to the theater
sometimes, and sometimes Dick brings a friend home to tea; and there are
friends here in the Buildings--one has just left me. And Dick is going
to be a great man, and rich and famous. Oh, there is not a doubt about
it. Though Beaumont Buildings are pretty large, we have several castles
in the air quite as big. And now tell me--about yourself," she broke off
suddenly, and with a touch of embarrassment. "You are looking very well;
yes, and younger; and your hair is long; and what a swell you are!"

"Am I?" said Lady Wolfer, in a low voice, and smiling softly. "I am
glad. Nell, while you have been in such trouble--my poor, dear Nell!--I
have been so happy. How can I tell you? I feel so ashamed." Her face
grew crimson, and she looked down as if smitten with shame; then she
raised her eyes. "It began--my happiness, I mean--the day you left us.
Do you remember the night before, and--and the wild, wicked words I
spoke to you?"

Nell nodded slightly, and bent over the tea things.

"I was mad that night--reckless and desperate. I--I thought that my
husband didn't care for me."

Nell shook her head.

"Yes; you said I was wrong--that it was all a mistake. How did you know,
dear? But I did not believe you; and I--I thought--God forgive me!--that
I owed it to the man who did love me--that other. Nell, I cannot bear to
speak his name now--now that all is altered! I thought that I was bound
to go away with him! He had asked me--implored me more than once. I knew
that he would ask me again, and soon, and--and I should have yielded!"

"No, no!" said Nell, going round to her, and putting her arms round her.

"Yes, ah, yes, I should!" said Lady Wolfer. "I had made up my mind. I
was reckless and desperate. That very morning I had decided to go,
whenever he asked me; and that very morning, quite early, while I was
dressing, my husband came to me, and--Nell, you were right, though even
now I cannot guess how you knew."