about Willie for a time, and the conversation ran more
smoothly--almost pleasantly.

Then they talked about books; and Elisabeth--who had grown into the
habit of thinking that nobody outside London knew anything--was
surprised to find that Christopher had read considerably more books than
she had read, and had understood them far more thoroughly. But this part
of the conversation was inclined to be stormy; since Christopher as a
rule disliked the books that Elisabeth liked, and this she persisted in
regarding as tantamount to disliking herself.

Whereupon she became defiant, and told stories of her life in London of
which she knew Christopher would disapprove. There was nothing in the
facts that he could possibly disapprove of, so she coloured them up
until there was; and then, when she had succeeded in securing his
disapproval, she was furious with him on account of it. Which was
manifestly unfair, as Christopher in no way showed the regret which he
could not refrain from experiencing, as he listened to Elisabeth making
herself out so much more frivolous and heartless than she really was.

"This is the first time I have had an opportunity of congratulating you
on your success," he said to her at last; "we are all very proud of it
at Sedgehill; but, believe me, there is no one who rejoices in it a
tithe as much as I do, if you will allow me to say so."

Elisabeth was slightly mollified. She had been trying all the time, as
she was so fond of trying years ago, to divert the conversation into
more personal channels; and Christopher had been equally desirous of
keeping it out of the same. But this sounded encouraging.

"Thank you so much," she answered; "it is very nice of you all to be
pleased with me! I always adored being admired and praised, if you
remember."

Christopher remembered well enough; but he was not going to tell this
crushing fine lady how well he remembered. If he had not exposed his
heart for Elisabeth to peck at in the old days, he certainly was not
going to expose it now; then she would only have been scientifically
interested--now she would probably be disdainfully amused.

"I suppose you saw my picture in this year's Academy," Elisabeth added.

"Saw it? I should think I did. I went up to town on purpose to see it,
as I always do when you have pictures on view at any of the shows."

"And what did you think of it?"

Christopher was silent for a moment; then he said--

"Do you want me to say