him. Violet eyes were no deeper--lips no more red--teeth no whiter--nor
was the perfect oval of her sun-kissed cheek any the more perfect. Yet,
there was something--the indefinable something that marks the transition
of a beautiful girl from beautiful girlhood to glorious womanhood.... He
felt a strange emptiness within him; it was almost as though he were
appalled by so much beauty--so much glory.

There was a gladness--a natural, unaffected, real gladness in her violet
eyes that glowed in greeting. She thrust forth a tiny white hand.... He
had been wont to kiss her, on meeting and on parting. Now it never
occurred to him.

"Tom!" she cried. "I'm so, so glad to see you again. It's been terribly
lonely. As fast as I'd begin to learn one language, they'd move me
somewhere else and I'd have to start all over again! And now I hardly
know whether or not I know any language at all! ... Where's Jack? I
expected that, of course, he would come with you."

"He'll be here bye-and-bye, Kate...." Blake replied.

She seated herself, crossing one knee above the over, interlocking about
it slender, white fingers.

"You must have so much to tell me, Tom!" she bubbled, all animation,
gladness, eagerness. "Begin! Please, begin! And then I'll tell you
everything. Oh, isn't it exciting to go away and come back again!"

"I have a lot to tell you," he said, slowly.

"Why, you speak so seriously, Tom. Aren't you glad to see me?"