they stood
outside Number 64. "To me it seems absolutely impossible, but then of
course I was much more away from it than you ever were."

Stella was so ferocious in her mockery of their childish haunts and
habitations that Michael began to perceive her old serene contempt was
become tinged with bitterness. This morning she was too straightly in
possession of herself. It was illogical after last night.

"Well, thank heaven, everything does change," she murmured. "And that
ugly things become even more ugly."

"Only for a time," objected Michael. "In twenty years if we visit
Carlington Road we shall think how innocent and intimate and pretty it
all is."

"I wasn't thinking so much of Carlington Road," said Stella. "I was
really thinking of people."

"Even they become beautiful again after a time," argued Michael.

"It would take a very long time for some," said Stella coldly.

Michael had rather dreaded his mother's return, with Stella in this
mood, and he was pleased when he found that his fears had been
unjustifiable. Stella in fact was very gentle with her mother, as if she
and not herself had suffered lately.

"I'm so glad you're back, darling Stella, and so delighted to think you
aren't going to Petersburg to-morrow, because the man at Vienna whose
name begins with that extraordinary letter...."

"Oh, mother," Stella laughed, "the letter was quite ordinary. It was
only L."

"But the name was dreadful, dear child. It always reminded one of furs.
A most oppressive name. So that really you'll be in London all this
winter?"

"Yes, only I shan't play much," said Stella.

"Mrs. Carruthers is so anxious to meet you properly," Mrs. Fane said.
"And Mabel Carruthers is really very nice. Poor girl! I wish you could
be friends with her. She's interested in nothing her mother does."

Michael was really amazed when Stella, without a shrug, without even a
wink at him, promised simply to let Mrs. Carruthers "meet her properly,"
and actually betrayed as much interest in Mabel Carruthers as to inquire
how old she was.

Maurice arrived at Cheyne Walk, just before Michael went up for term, to
say he had taken a most wonderful studio in Grosvenor Road. He was
anxious that Michael should bring his sister to see it, but Stella would
not go.

"Thanks very much, my dear," she said to him, "but I've seen too much of
the real thing. I'm in no mood just now for a sentimental imitation."

"I think you ought to come," said M