"Wants to make a good impression," was the young man's mental comment.
Lucile, a trifle pale, was sitting in the corner.
Presently Marian caught sight of him standing there.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "you are waiting for your reward?"
"Any time," he smiled.
"You shall have it right now—the blue envelope."
She seized her paint-box, and throwing back the cover lifted the paint-tray. Then from her lips escaped one word:
"Gone!"
He sprang eagerly forward.
"Can't be," Lucile breathed.