In fact, he was never very far off; but Bernard, for three or four days, had the anomalous consciousness of being still nearer.

Presently, however, he perceived that he owed this privilege simply to his friend's desire that he should become acquainted with Miss Vivian--should receive a vivid impression of a person in whom Gordon was so deeply interested.

After this result might have been supposed to be attained, Gordon Wright stepped back into his usual place and showed her those small civilities which were the only homage that the quiet conditions of their life rendered possible--walked with her, talked with her, brought her a book to read, a chair to sit upon, a couple of flowers to place in the bosom of her gown, treated her, in a word, with a sober but by no means inexpressive gallantry.

He had not been making violent love, as he told Longueville, and these demonstrations were certainly not violent.

Bernard said to himself that if he were not in the secret, a spectator would scarcely make the discovery that Gordon cherished an even very safely tended flame.