w
nice you look in that cream-colored dress, Grace! I thought it would
suit you." But, though his eyes rested on her as he spoke, he seemed
rather absent. And when the door-bell rang a moment afterwards, a
sudden flush came to his face.

It was very odd to feel that he was receiving Nan as his guest. He
had dreaded the ordeal greatly, but after the first moment it was not
so bad. Grace, who had her suspicions and watched them closely, had
them verified without doubt during the moment that followed the
Challoners' entrance; but no other eyes but hers would have read
anything amiss in the young vicar's gravely composed face.

Nan, who was looking beautiful, met him with her usual
unconsciousness: though neither of them knew it, it was this very
unconsciousness that was fast healing the wound. One cannot mourn long
after a lost dream, and there had never been any reality in it. Not
one of Nan's thoughts had ever belonged to him for a moment: his
existence, his individuality had never grazed the outer edge of her
susceptibilities. Dick had encased her from childhood in armor of
proof against all manhood. Archie felt this even as he touched her
hand, and his lips gave her welcome.

"I am so sorry your mother could not come," he said, politely. And
then he turned to Phillis, who was regarding him with an odd, dubious
look.

Archie felt the look, and his spirit rose in instant opposition.

"Do you know the Middletons are to be here, after all?" he said,
moving a little into the background, for this girl had keen vision,
and, as of old, her sympathy moved him strangely.

"Oh, then we shall be quite a party," she returned, brightly. "It
seems ages since we have been at one, and I feel disposed to enjoy
myself. The very sight of wax candles is exhilarating. I am half
afraid to touch coffee, for fear it will get into my head. And how
sweet Grace looks in that dress!"

"Your _chef-d'oeuvre_!" he replied, rather wickedly.

"Oh, yes, I recognize my handiwork," returned Phillis, nonchalantly.
"I am quite as proud of it as an artist would be of a picture. Here
comes Mattie; poor little thing! she seems tired, but she looks nice,
too."

Archie moved away after this, for the Middletons were announced; but
he thought as he left her that he had never seen her look so handsome.
Nan's beauty had so blinded him that he had hardly been aware what a
charming face Phillis really had: when she was pleased or excited she
lighted up qu