know you don't like me," he went on, as Roderick
came back. "It 's a pity; you are strong enough not to care about me at
all. You are very strong."

"Not at all," said Roderick curtly. "I am very weak!"

"I told you last year that you would n't keep it up. I was a great ass.
You will!"

"I beg your pardon--I won't!" retorted Roderick.

"Though I 'm a great ass, all the same, eh? Well, call me what you will,
so long as you turn out this sort of thing! I don't suppose it makes any
particular difference, but I should like to say now I believe in you."

Roderick stood looking at him for a moment with a strange hardness in
his face. It flushed slowly, and two glittering, angry tears filled his
eyes. It was the first time Rowland had ever seen them there; he saw
them but once again. Poor Gloriani, he was sure, had never in his life
spoken with less of irony; but to Roderick there was evidently a sense
of mockery in his profession of faith. He turned away with a muttered,
passionate imprecation. Gloriani was accustomed to deal with complex
problems, but this time he was hopelessly puzzled. "What 's the matter
with him?" he asked, simply.

Rowland gave a sad smile, and touched his forehead. "Genius, I suppose."

Gloriani sent another parting, lingering look at the bust of Mrs.
Hudson. "Well, it 's deuced perfect, it 's deuced simple; I do believe
in him!" he said. "But I 'm glad I 'm not a genius. It makes," he added
with a laugh, as he looked for Roderick to wave him good-by, and saw his
back still turned, "it makes a more sociable studio."

Rowland had purchased, as he supposed, temporary tranquillity for Mary
Garland; but his own humor in these days was not especially peaceful. He
was attempting, in a certain sense, to lead the ideal life, and he found
it, at the least, not easy. The days passed, but brought with them no
official invitation to Miss Light's wedding. He occasionally met her,
and he occasionally met Prince Casamassima; but always separately,
never together. They were apparently taking their happiness in the
inexpressive manner proper to people of social eminence. Rowland
continued to see Madame Grandoni, for whom he felt a confirmed
affection. He had always talked to her with frankness, but now he made
her a confidant of all his hidden dejection. Roderick and Roderick's
concerns had been a common theme with him, and it was in the natural
course to talk of Mrs. Hudson's arrival and Miss Garland's fine sm