and
watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she
bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.

His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship. It had been
inspired by a sympathy he had no other means of displaying. He had
talked to her; by every means in his power he had endeavored to
interest her in reminiscence of the week's doings. She listened
patiently, almost submissively, for she understood the promptings of
his endeavor. But she was too deeply plunged in her own discouragement
to display real interest, and it had required every ounce of courage
she possessed to prevent herself falling to weeping.

Nor was Bud at fault for a moment. He recognized the trouble lurking
in the sweet brown eyes. And with all his might he pretended not to
see. So, when his last effort to cheer had proved unavailing, he took
his departure under the excuse of his own packing.

He knew. Of course he knew. Had he not watched the progress of events
throughout the week? Had he not seen for himself how Jeff's fancy had
been caught? And she was very beautiful, this town-bred woman,
beautiful with that healthy, downy complexion which Bud found did not
fit with his idea of city "raised" women. He almost felt he hated her,
yet he knew he had no right to his antagonism. Jeff was unpledged, he
was free. No woman had any claim on him. Not even Nan. Poor Nan. He
had hoped to give her seven long days of unalloyed delight. He had
only given her seven days of bitter disappointment and disillusion.

He set about his packing with furious zest. In a moment, it seemed,
his room was in a state of chaos. And all the while, as he bundled
garments together and flung them into his grips, his busy thought went
on in the only direction in which it seemed capable of moving just now.

His mind had gone back to the days before their visit to Calthorpe. He
remembered the delighted anticipation which Nan had displayed. Her
displays of happy affection for himself in the midst of her own great
looking forward. The ravishing hours she had spent in choosing
patterns of material, and styles of gown. He remembered the bright
sparkling eyes shining, it seemed to him, at all times. That wonderful
looking forward. Oh, the holiday of it had been nothing. There was
only one thing, one thought, which had inspired the child. It was
Jeff. It was a week that was to see honor done him, and she-