"You were just as beautiful in that blue cotton one, the day I first kissed you, Nan."
"I know you thought so, Jim. But the world wouldn't have said it——"
"And to-night?"
"They agreed with you. I could see it in the craning necks, the glances, the whispered comments, and the stare of mannerless men."
"And you were proud and happy!"
"Proud for your sake, Jim,—yes—and happy in your love."
Stuart's face clouded and he turned away, startled for the first time by a strange similarity in the tone of Nan's voice to her mother's.
The painful impression was suddenly broken by a quick touch of Nan's hand on his arm.
"Oh, Jim, I'm glad you came a day earlier. I've something to tell you, something wonderful—something that will bring our happiness near——" Her voice sank to the tenderest accents.
"What on earth——"