ne's
window as possible.

But she made no sign, though there was not the least question that she
saw him. At the end of half-an-hour he went in, took off his clothes,
and gave himself up to doubt and the best tobacco.

He repeated the programme on the next afternoon, and on the next, never
saying a word within doors about his doings or his notice.

Meanwhile the results in Anne's chamber were not uninteresting. She had
been looking out on the first day, and was duly amazed to see a naval
officer in full uniform promenading in the path. Finding it to be Bob,
she left the window with a sense that the scene was not for her; then,
from mere curiosity, peeped out from behind the curtain. Well, he was a
pretty spectacle, she admitted, relieved as his figure was by a dense
mass of sunny, close-trimmed hedge, over which nasturtiums climbed in
wild luxuriance; and if she could care for him one bit, which she
couldn't, his form would have been a delightful study, surpassing in
interest even its splendour on the memorable day of their visit to the
town theatre. She called her mother; Mrs. Loveday came promptly.

'O, it is nothing,' said Anne indifferently; 'only that Bob has got his
uniform.'

Mrs. Loveday peeped out, and raised her hands with delight. 'And he has
not said a word to us about it! What a lovely epaulette! I must call
his father.'

'No, indeed. As I take no interest in him I shall not let people come
into my room to admire him.'

'Well, you called me,' said her mother.

'It was because I thought you liked fine clothes. It is what I don't
care for.'

Notwithstanding this assertion she again looked out at Bob the next
afternoon when his footsteps rustled on the gravel, and studied his
appearance under all the varying angles of the sunlight, as if fine
clothes and uniforms were not altogether a matter of indifference. He
certainly was a splendid, gentlemanly, and gallant sailor from end to end
of him; but then, what were a dashing presentment, a naval rank, and
telling scars, if a man was fickle-hearted? However, she peeped on till
the fourth day, and then she did not peep. The window was open, she
looked right out, and Bob knew that he had got a rise to his bait at
last. He touched his hat to her, keeping his right shoulder forwards,
and said, 'Good-day, Miss Garland,' with a smile.

Anne replied, 'Good-day,' with funereal seriousness; and the acquaintance
thus revived led to the interchange