ll the Scot in
him asserted itself in a fierce reticence, an inbred sense of privacy
where a man's deepest feelings were concerned: and now, as he stood
battling with his impatience to be gone, he was suffering acute
discomfiture from the demonstrative leave-taking in progress between
Maurice and his sister. For their sakes, at least, he would fain have
effaced himself: while they, as a matter of fact, were momentarily
oblivious of his existence.

Artists both, of no mean quality, they had lived and worked together
for five years, since the day when Michael had rented his first modest
studio in the King's Road, Chelsea: and, setting aside Art, his feeling
for Quita was the one serious element in a nature light and variable as
a summer cloud. From his French mother he derived an elastic spirit
that yielded itself to the emotion of the passing moment; and Lenox,
watching him, marvelled at the sharp dividing-lines drawn between the
different races of earth.

He half resented such facility of self-expression. Possibly he envied
it: though no doubt he would have denied the impeachment with an oath.

Eventually it occurred to Maurice that he could not well stand in the
roadway till sunset, taking leave of the sister he was so loth to lose,
and, with a sigh of exasperation, he pushed her gently towards her
husband.

"_Voila, cherie_, . . . enough of my endless adieux, or _ce bon_ Lenox
may be tempted to break the sixth commandment on my account, in
addition to the eighth."

Lenox smiled tolerantly down from six feet of height upon his slim,
fair brother-in-law.

"That temptation should be your own prerogative, my dear fellow, since
I am taking her from you for good."

Maurice laughed.

"_Mon Dieu_, yes. You have certainly given me a fair excuse to hate
you. And I have wondered more than once, in the last three months, why
one could not manage it."

"Too fatiguing for a man of your calibre!" the other answered with
good-humoured bluntness. "You could never be bothered to keep it up."

"Ah, _mon ami_, you men who speak little speak to the point! You are
altogether too discerning. But for Quita's sake, at least, we could
never be otherwise than firm friends. With all my heart I wish good
fortune to you both, and count the days to your return."

The two men shook hands cordially: and Lenox, beckoning the muleteer,
lifted his wife into the saddle; thus averting a final demonstration.
She waved her hand to a