And Grey, who was regarding him curiously, knew that mere friendship,
however strong, never wore such semblance of grief as this, and there
flashed upon him the conviction that, like himself, Jack too had loved
the beautiful girl now lost forever to them both, while a chill ran
through his veins as he thought that possibly Jack was an accepted
lover, and that was why Bessie had shrunk from his words of love, as
something she must not listen to. She was engaged to Jack Trevellian;
nothing could be plainer, and with this conviction, which each moment
gathered strength in his mind, he resolved to conceal his own
heart-wound from his rival, and talk of the dead girl as if he had only
been her friend. Slowly, as Jack had bidden him, he told the story of
her sickness, dwelling long on Flossie Meredith's untiring devotion, but
saying nothing of the services he had rendered, saying only that he was
so glad he was there, as a gentleman friend was necessary at such a time
and in such a place, where greed is the rule and not the exception.
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