they
were saying, 'What are you going to do now, old boy?' They had never
looked like that while standing in his past homely workshop, where all
the real labours of his life had been carried out. What should a man of
his age, who had not for years done anything to speak of--certainly not
to add to his reputation as an artist--want with a new place like this?
It was all because of the elect lady, and she apparently did not want
him.

Pierston did not observe anything further in Avice to cause him
misgiving till one dinner-time, a week later, towards the end of the
visit. Then, as he sat himself between her and her mother at their
limited table, he was struck with her nervousness, and was tempted to
say, 'Why are you troubled, my little dearest?' in tones which disclosed
that he was as troubled as she.

'Am I troubled?' she said with a start, turning her gentle hazel
eyes upon him. 'Yes, I suppose I am. It is because I have received a
letter--from an old friend.'

'You didn't show it to me,' said her mother.

'No--I tore it up.'

'Why?'

'It was not necessary to keep it, so I destroyed it.'

Mrs. Pierston did not press her further on the subject, and Avice showed
no disposition to continue it. They retired rather early, as they always
did, but Pierston remained pacing about his studio a long while, musing
on many things, not the least being the perception that to wed a woman
may be by no means the same thing as to be united with her. The 'old
friend' of Avice's remark had sounded very much like 'lover.' Otherwise
why should the letter have so greatly disturbed her?

There seemed to be something uncanny, after all, about London, in its
relation to his contemplated marriage. When she had first come up she
was easier with him than now. And yet his bringing her there had helped
his cause; the house had decidedly impressed her--almost overawed her,
and though he owned that by no law of nature or reason had her mother
or himself any right to urge on Avice partnership with him against
her inclination, he resolved to make the most of having her under his
influence by getting the wedding details settled before she and her
mother left.

The next morning he proceeded to do this. When he encountered Avice
there was a trace of apprehension on her face; but he set that down to
a fear that she had offended him the night before by her taciturnity.
Directly he requested her mother, in Avice's presence, to get her to
fix the d