my baby get better I
would be happy, and ask for nothing else. But what do you think this
is?" she added, with a change of tone, drawing something from her pocket
and holding it hid in her closed hand.

"I can't imagine," said Noel, full of delight to see that look of
interest and amusement on her face.

"A present for you from me! Isn't that funny? It isn't anything very
valuable and perhaps you won't care for it, but I have a feeling that
I want you to have it. It's the cross of the Legion of Honor, which
belonged to my grandfather. My mother left it to me among some trinkets
of hers, which have all been sold. Don't look sorry about it; you don't
know how little it matters now! This I could never have sold, and
besides it is worth very little really--but I felt I wanted you to have
it. Will you let me give it to you?"

She opened her hand and held it out to him with the cross lying on the
palm. Noel was deeply touched.

"I never really expected to be decorated," he said, "but there is no
possible way in which a decoration could come to me that could give me
such pride and pleasure as this. Take it? I should think so! When I used
to dream of being a painter I thought perhaps I'd have a great picture
in the _Salon_ and get a decoration for it. But I assure you this is
better."

"Oh, what pleasant things you say!" said Christine. "You make me feel
quite happy," and she held out the cross for him to take.

"I want you to fasten it on," said Noel. "I mean always to wear it. Will
you pin it here?"

He turned back his coat and Christine came close to him and complied
with the utmost willingness. The pin was a little blunt or rusted and it
took her several seconds to put it in and fasten it. Their faces were
almost on a level, and Noel's eyes looked closer than they had ever done
before at her youthful loveliness. Hers were bent in complete absorption
upon her task.

When she had fastened the pin she drew backward, still holding open the
coat that she might see the cross in its new position. All the time she
never looked at Noel, but all the time he looked at her.

"Thank you," she said simply.

Noel seemed stricken with silence. His mind was confused, and he did not
know what to say. And Christine, wondering that he did not speak, lifted
her large eyes to his face and looked at him questioningly. Then Noel
remembered himself, and in perfect recollectedness and self-possession
he took her hands and kissed them, f