father's heavy tread upon the stairs below.

It must be tea-time; yes, she heard him close the sitting-room door, and he always returned from his work hungry and tired.

It was the first time since her return from Miss Plunkett's that Nell had omitted to prepare the family tea before father came

home.

She flushed quite guiltily as she sprang from her bed and realised her forgetfulness. With trembling fingers she smoothed her hair and adjusted her collar, and with a smile that was more wistful than glad, she opened the sitting-room door.

'Nell, my girl, what's this mother tells me you've overdone it the very first time you ever went to rehearsal, and come home with a headache and regular worn out? Why, I declare you're pale now, and your eyes- John Hall paused for a moment, as he took both Nell's hands into his broad brown palm. 'Your eyes look as if you'd been crying! Come, my dear, tell me it isn't so, or else give me your reasons straight out. They surely haven't been hard on a poor little beginner at the very first start off?'

'No, no, father, really- Nell began, with unusual hesitation, 'it isn't that

'It's Mother Blenkinsop, I'll be bound,' cried John Hall promptly. 'She is a regular old tiger-cat, she is. Now, Nell, tell me; which of her tricks has she been up to?'

Nell protested so vehemently that father soon seemed reassured.

'It was all so new and strange, and I behaved so very, very awkwardly,' said Nell; and when I came home my head ached a bit. It shall not happen again, father dear, I promise you.'

She patted his cheek as she spoke, and he rejoiced to see her

smile again as she began her preparations for tea.

Mrs. Hall was sitting close to the window, tracing an elaborate pattern upon some coarse linen material. Her sight was not strong, and the work required as much light as she could obtain. Her back was turned to the teatable, but she had attentively listened to the conversation between Nell and John. It was in answer to the girl's last remark about her awkwardness that her mother exclaimed, 'Don't you believe her, John; I've had a visitor this afternoon who told me a very different story. He said Nell had done her part uncommonly well; and considering she was-'

'A beginner?' suggested John, laughing. Ah, he was a prejudiced witness; I'd rather believe in Nell's own account than Jim Crane's.'

'Will you come to the table, mum, or shall I bring you your tea over there ?' asked Nell, in nervous haste. She dreaded the description of the visitor, which was bound to come next.

Great was her relief when her mother replied, 'I'll come to the table, child; my eyes are beginning to ache.'

Don't try them, my dear,' said John Hall. It's God's best gift to us is our sight, and we are bound to preserve it as long as we can.'

There was no further allusion either to Jim Crane or to that other prejudiced witness.

What had kept her mother silent on so important an event, Nell wondered; and was quite at a loss for an answer to her question.

She glanced at the clock once or twice, and was surprised when she saw the hand pointing to eight that Jim had not looked in.

She had placed the fourth cup on the table, as this was one of the evenings on which the comedian generally appeared.

He surely was not sulking still, as he had so unaccountably done at rehearsal this morning?

'Ah, here is- Jim!' she exclaimed, hearing ascending footsteps, which paused on the landing without.

'He's not alone,' remarked Mrs. Hall, whose hearing was very acute; there are two men. I hope and trust it isn't that croaking stage-manager again.'

Hush, mum; they'll hear !' whispered Nell, and went to the door.

Jack Clifford stood without, and by his side a fine old man with snow-white hair and a pair of bright observant eyes, which rested on Nell for a moment, noting her visible embarrassment with evident

amusement.

'We must apologise, ladies and Mr. Hall,' said Jack, with his pleasantest smile.

We have come on business, and therefore hoped our unseemly intrusion would be pardoned.'

His eyes met Nell's as he spoke, and she, a little confused, but decidedly happy, gave him a most encouraging glance.

It was but an hour ago since she had resolutely determined that Jack Clifford must be altogether ignored in future.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MISSION OF SIR HERCULES.

JACK introduced his companion with quite a theatrical flourish. He was still so enamoured of his new profession that he could not resist giving samples' of it on every possible occasion.

'General Sir Hercules Lawrance, K.C.B.,' announced Jack, with a comprehensive bow and a superb wave of his right hand.

The stranger bowed also, and at once addressed himself to John Hall, whose advice, he said, would be of great assistance to him.

Nell quietly moved a chair forward, and timidly requested the visitor to be seated.

'A thousand pardons, my dear young lady!' cried the veteran soldier, as he placed the chair for her, and himself took one at John Hall's side.

Jack had meanwhile crossed the room, and, handing an envelope to Mrs. Hall, said, 'That is the address you asked me for.'

She looked up at him in surprise, and he promptly added in an aside that was quite inaudible to the others, 'Pray read what I have written there.'

Mrs. Hall was already somewhat bewildered by that pompous announcement of the visitor's full titles, and she now gazed at Jack as though demanding some elucidation of all these mysteries; but he simply pressed the paper he had brought into her hand. She put on her spectacles, and, making a screen with her fingers, attentively read these words:

'Sir H. is a friend of the great welcome for your daughter's sake; K. family. Pray make him very but do not let him or any one else suspect that you know of his mission. This is our secret. I feel sure it is as safe with you as it is with

'JACK.'

O wonderful, most wonderful! Mrs. Hall's fingers trembled so as she perused those lines that she could scarcely hold the paper. This grand and noble-looking gentleman came as an emissary from her poor dear Clement's aristocratic relations-came on a mission, a secret mission, and had no doubt been asked to report on the appearance and accomplishments of her sweet Eleanor.

Tears rushed to Mrs. Hall's eyes, and she felt as if she must embrace her daughter on the spot; but Jack's hand was placed restrainingly on her arm as she was about to rise.

'Remember our secret,' he whispered hastily; and, under his warning glance, Mrs. Hall meekly subsided again.

'True; I will never forget,' she answered, a subtle smile illumining her face, and a new sense of importance revealing itself in her bearing.

Mrs. Hall's preconceived ideas on the object of Sir Hercules' visit were certainly confirmed by that gentleman's conduct.

He had so placed Nell's chair and his own that he confronted her, and though he was talking 'business' to John Hall, his bright observant eyes turned towards the girl with a persistent curiosity which, in a younger stranger, might have been considered impertinent. But an elderly bronzed soldier, with a distinguished name and bearing, a white moustache and a paternal smile, may do some things with impunity which, in an ordinary individual, would be resented as insults.

John Hall's fame as a scenic artist was so well established, said Sir Hercules, that the reason of his visit was not far to seek. He came with all the more confidence, however, since their mutual friend Mr. Jack Clifford had volunteered to accompany him.

Nothing could exceed the sincere interest and the evident admiration with which Master Jack regarded Mr. Hall both in his private and in his professional career.

Simple matter-of-fact John listened with something very like amazement to these surprising revelations.

For his part, he scarcely knew Jack Clifford, either by sight or

name, for the actor's business at the Sphere neither troubled nor interested him, unless it had some immediate bearing on the conduct of the painting-room. That he had won this smart young fellow's regard in some fashion unknown to himself was of course proved by the statement of this noblelooking old gentleman.

For an instant John felt tempted to put in a decided disclaimer to Mr. Clifford's praises; but though rough in speech and manner, the painter had a good heart, and he realised that it would be very ungracious of him to refuse the commendation so generously bestowed. He now waited in silence for some further explanation from his unexpected visitor.

Nell also was silent, interested, expectant.

She had ventured to glance across at her mother now and again, and had seen Jack's handsome profile assiduously bent over the crewel work, which could surely scarce be seen in the fast-gathering darkness.

What was Jack talking to her mother about in such a confidential tone?

And why, O, why did this bright-eyed old gentleman persist in watching her so attentively?

She grew restless under his scrutiny at last, and to make a diversion she rose, pulled down the blinds, and lighted the lamp.

She returned to her chair by father's side with her work in her hand. Once absorbed in the neat stitching on which she prided herself, she forgot to notice the stranger's looks.

'And so I may take it for granted,' said he, 'that you will undertake this commission for me, Mr. Hall? Silverbeach is not far from Slough, and I shall be delighted if you could make it convenient to run down and see the stage and all

quite understand, of course, that I am responsible for all expenses incurred. Sir Hercules rose and went over to Mrs. Hall's side. "Your husband has kindly undertaken to paint some new scenery for my mimic stage, Mrs. Hall,' said he. 'I live in the country; my place is a pretty one. When Mr. Hall is fairly established there, I shall hope to have the pleasure of seeing you and your daughter also. A change to the country is mostly welcome to Londoners, and in the strawberry season I really can offer a special attraction. Silverbeach is famous for its fruit.

'I am sure you are most kind and most considerate,' said Mrs. Hall, 'I hardly know how to thank you, Sir-Sir-' The poor lady really felt overwhelmed by various emotions, among which gratitude was at this moment preeminent; and gratitude, like deprecation, was apt to bring the ever-ready tears into her eyes.

'Poor soul, poor soul,' muttered Sir Hercules hurriedly.

The roar of cannon had never made him flinch; but the sight of a woman's tears filled him with dismay, and with quite a coward's desire to run away.

'May I come in, Mrs. Hall ?' asked Jim Crane, who had knocked at the door and partly opened it, to make his request audible within.

'Good-evening, Jim, you're late,' said Nell, admitting the visitor.

As she stood by the door Sir Hercules bent over her, and taking her hand in both his, said,

'I shall look forward to your visit with the greatest possible pleasure, Miss Trevor.'

She thanked him with a pretty word and smile, and then she answered Jack's good-night.

Jim had discreetly remained on the landing, but as the visitors passed to the stairs he entered the

room, although the sudden and most unexpected sight of Jack Clifford in that place had filled him with a dismay that was nearly allied to anger.

But Jim's experience as a comedian and his tragic aspirations had effectually taught him to hide any personal emotion and play such part as circumstances might require.

Nell glanced at him wistfully as he entered the room, and wondered if he really were very pale, or if it was only the lamp-light that gave him such a woebegone appearance. Would he say anything about the rehearsal this morning, or express the surprise he must feel at seeing Mr. Clifford here to-night?

Jim made no allusion whatever to either of the subjects preoccupying Nell. Having inquired after Mrs. Hall's health, and with some inward wonder observed the traces of very recent emotion in that lady's face, he said,

'I saw Miss Pierrepoint in the Strand; she had just left the Imperial, and was on her way here to congratulate our débutante on her success at rehearsal this morning.

Why, what can she know about it?' inquired Mr. Hall, and added, 'I like that showy young woman less and less every time I see her, and wish she'd keep her congratulations to herself. They certainly won't benefit our little Nell.'

Such invidious remarks from her good-natured husband considerably surprised Mrs. Hall.

Jim also was startled.

'It was Mrs. Blenkinsop who had told her sister about the rehearsal,' he said, by way of explanation, and Miss Pierrepoint-'

'Is here, and will answer for herself,' exclaimed that lady, with a loud laugh.

The door had been left ajar, and she entered as she spoke.

'Yes,' said John Hall promptly, 'Mr. Clifford was good enough to bring a friend of his to see me on business.' There was something in Araminta's look and tone that angered John, although he would have been quite at a loss to account for this feeling.

'I have asked him to say a good word to Mrs. Powell for me,' continued Miss Pierrepoint. 'I want to get into the Sphere just now, and Jack, I hear, has it all his own way with the manageress.'

'Mrs. Powell certainly has her own way of managing her business, and brooks interference from no one,' said John Hall sharply. The covert malice with which Miss Pierrepoint had just spoken warranted his reproof.

'If I do come to the Sphere, you and I shall see a great deal of one another, Nell,' the walking lady continued. She did not choose to risk another discussion with that Mr. Hall, whose rudeness on a former occasion she had by no means forgiven-or forgotten. 'If y f you get on quickly, and are able to take second walking parts, we may even be rivals yet, don't you see?'

'I am never likely to do anything so grand, Minnie,' said Nell, with a deprecating smile. 'I've no doubt your sister has already told you how awkward I was this morning.'

'Indeed she didn't,' said Minnie, laughing; but she did tell me that Jack, the gay Lothario, was awfully smit right off, that he inveigled

you into a desperate flirtation, and made you neglect your business with her. She was awfully put out about that, I can tell you, and not best pleased to hear Master Jack tell the manageress that you were made of the right sort of stuff for first juvenile. If you don't mind. your p's and q's with Henrietta Maria, my dear, you'll have a bad time of it at the Sphere, I can tell you. You must remember her husband is your manager there, and she is his everywhere. Don't

you see?'

Mrs. Hall had left the room shortly after Miss Pierrepoint's arrival; and John Hall and his guest were smoking, their chairs drawn close to the embers expiring in the grate.

The girls carried on their conversation in undertones as they stood by the window. They were watching the dark storm-clouds flying over the sky above, and the dim reflections of the lamps in the troubled rainpools below. The clocks in the neighbouring churches were striking.

'By Jove, that's nine o'clock !' cried Araminta, hastily adjusting her waterproof and pulling the coquettish-looking turban she wore close down upon her brows.

'I'm going your way, Miss Araminta,' said Jim, rising. Nell looked at him wistfully, his voice sounded so sad, and there was sadness in his honest ugly face too.

Nell felt as if they had quarrelled, she and he, who had been such excellent friends hitherto.

And, as she bid him good-night, she longed to add, ‘If I have vexed you to-day, dear Jim, pray forgive me, and let us be quite happy together again.'

Had they been alone some such words would surely have been spoken; but Minnie stood by, regarding them both with attentive. eyes.