conceived as strong an interest in her fortunes as she had in
Kells's. Wood nodded his approval and Pearce said she was a lady
once more. Strange it was to Joan that this villain Pearce, whom she
could not have dared trust, grew open in his insinuating hints of
Kells's blackguardism. Strange because Pearce was absolutely
sincere!

When Jim Cleve did see Joan in her dress the first time he appeared
so glad and relieved and grateful that she feared he might betray
himself, so she got out of his sight.

Not long after that Kells called her from her room. He wore his
somber and thoughtful cast of countenance. Red Pearce and Jesse
Smith were standing at attention. Cleve was sitting on the threshold
of the door and Wood leaned against the wall.

"Is there anything in the pack of stuff I bought you that you could
use for a veil?" asked Kells of Joan.

"Yes," she replied.

"Get it," he ordered. "And your hat, too."

Joan went to her room and returned with the designated articles, the
hat being that which she had worn when she left Hoadley.

"That'll do. Put it on--over your face--and let's see how you look."

Joan complied with this request, all the time wondering what Kells
meant.