Heart, are you great enough
For a love that never tires?
Oh heart, are you great enough for love?
I have heard of thorns and briers?
--TENNYSON.

As the studio door closed behind them, Anna said regretfully, "I wish
we could have stayed longer, Malcolm, I wanted to see more of that nice
Mr. Keston; and I did so long to peep at his picture."

"Did you?" observed Malcolm in a surprised tone, but he was evidently
gratified at this expression of interest. "Well, we will go back there
presently, when he has finished that bit of drapery that is bothering
him. Goliath is as nervous as a cat when he is working against time. He
and Verity have arranged a regular code of signals," he went on: "when
the curtain is drawn right across the arch, it means no admittance
except on business, and all loafers and trespassers will be prosecuted.
On these occasions Verity is a perfect dragon, and he would be an
audacious man who would try to force his way in."

Anna nodded as though this explanation satisfied her, and then she
followed Malcolm up the steep, narrow staircase into a pleasant,
well-furnished room, with two windows opening on to the balcony.

Everything was in good taste and thoroughly well chosen. The dark oak
bureau and writing-table, the book-shelves filled with well-bound
volumes, the proof engravings on the walls, and a handsome bronze group
on the mantelpiece; while the deep easy-chairs and couch gave it an air
of comfort.

Anna had been there before, but she always reiterated her first remark
on seeing it, "that it was the most comfortable room she had ever
entered. You have such good taste, Malcolm," she would say; "even your
paperweight and the coal-scuttle are artistic."

"I am a lover of the picturesque," he would return solemnly, "and
anything ugly or unsuitable would jar on me. I like subdued tints and
mellow rich tones; that is why I bind my books in buff-coloured Russian
calf. They harmonise so splendidly with the dark oak and the faded
russet and brown and blue of the rug. Take my advice, Anna, cultivate
your eye, and you will add much to the pleasures of life."

When Anna had inspected the latest engraving and tested the
Chesterfield couch--a recent purchase--they went out on the balcony
until tea was ready. A red-haired, buxom-looking maid brought it in.

It was evident that the mistress of the establishment was not without
resources, for quite a pr