When Billy finally reached camp, the Sunrise Hill tents were dark and still.
Yet to the left a camp fire was burning and a woman's figure was seated near it.
A pang of remorse stirred Billy, in spite of his own weariness.
Coming forward with his arms outstretched, instead of his mother, he discovered Vera Lagerloff.
"Goodness, Vera, I never saw you look so wonderful!" Billy exclaimed, bowing with the air of a courtier and a grace which he knew well how to assume.
For Vera was wearing a court costume, a skirt of a deep rose-colored satin and a polonaise and basque of white with a design of roses.
Her dark hair was piled high on her head and her cheeks were slightly rouged, since every preparation for the actual stage performance had been made.
Billy had never seen Vera so handsome, nor dreamed it possible that she could ever look as she did tonight. But then Billy had thought little of Vera's appearance, or of that of any other girl. He had simply cared for her with a curious boyish selfishness and affection. Unconsciously he always planned his future with Vera beside him to hear of his trials and conquests, but had never thought of how this could be managed.
Yet tonight Vera paid no attention to his unusual flattery.
Her expression suggested annoyance and reproach.