Ah! how changed he was in those few short months! The boyish expression had vanished. He looked older, more care-worn. The fair, handsome face was graver; the blue eyes were surely more thoughtful. Even his fair chestnut hair seemed to have taken on a deeper, more golden hue.
He crossed the room, bent over his mother, and kissed her.
"This is my son—Mrs. Brown, Mr. Garner," said the old lady, her voice lingering over the words with pardonable pride.
It was a terrible moment for Dorothy.
Would Jack know her? Would not those keen, grave, searching eyes penetrate her disguise?
He gave but a casual glance to the small, slim figure clad in black, and bowed courteously, then turned away.
The greatest ordeal of her life was past.
She had met Jack—Jack who had loved her so—face to face, and he had not recognized her.
She rallied from her confused thoughts by a great effort, for Mrs. Garner was speaking to her.
"I was saying, that as we seem mutually pleased with each other, we may as well consider the arrangement as settled between us."