eply. Will grew uneasy; for, though the artist's silence perhaps meant only sullenness, danger might lurk in such a man's thwarted passion. On the fourth evening, just as he had made up hi

unshaven, disorderly in dress indeed, so well did he look the part of the

ight," said Will, "I sho

in the armchair,

voice. "That night when I met you, I made a fool of myself.

dirty collar," remarked Will

r round his neck. "What does it matter? A litt

d, and laughed again. And his mirth was contag

ympathy," said the artist, mo

r or not? Just as you like. For my part, I'd rather talk about 'The Slummer.' I had a loo

ut still with vacant eye. "Yes, not bad, I think.

do something better. But I should finish it, if I were you. If you h

rt of fa

ther anaemic, with a universe

the slummers are always that sort. Still, I'm not sure I shan't do it, out of spite. There's an

s of old, about the room.

he other night. But I wish you'd tell me something about your time at Trient. Didn

esaw it," replied Will, w

were there. Her astounding hypocrisy! I had a

e the

a farce? I could have sworn that no girl lived who was more thoroughly honest in word and deed and thought. It's awful to think how one can be deceived. I understand now the novels about unfaithful wives, and a

n meditation, o

s to Bath, and the letter would be forwarded. I wrote-of course a fool's letter; I only wish I'd never sent it. Sometimes I think I'll never try to see her again; sometimes I th

ss the room, then checked

hink about it. I want advice

all. I don't pretend t

"your impression-your feeling.

enough; that's a

" asked Norbert, his e

magine e

there be for deliberate

girl had simply changed her mind, and went on and on, struggling with herself till she could stand it no longer. I've no taste for melodrama quiet comedy is much

h whom?" c

yourself whether she is indispensable to you or not.- Indispensable? why, no woman is that to any man; sooner or later, it's a matter of indifference. And if you feel, talking plainly with your

reflecting. T

t, if I give her up, I shall mar

hopeful about him, and much consoled by the disappearance