Read "Nell, of Shorne Mills" by Charles Garvice online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Certainly not poor Nell, who still remained in her dim corner in the gallery. Mrs. Hawksley had begged her to come down to the supper which had been laid for her and her brother and Falconer; but Nell, who felt that it would be impossible to make even a pretense of eating or drinking, had begged them to excuse her; and when they had gone and the gallery was empty, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes; for she was well-nigh exhausted by the conflicting emotions which racked her. She longed to go, to leave the place, to escape from the risk of Drake's presence; but she could not leave the house alone, and to go from the gallery and absent herself for the rest of the evening might attract notice and comment.
Was it possible that Drake had been near her, so near as to almost have touched her? She trembled--and thrilled--at the thought; then crimsoned with shame for the sinful thrill of joy and happiness which his nearness had caused her.