Widdowson! Now if any one
speaks to you about _me_, when I have left England, will you find some
nice word? Don't think me foolish. I do so desire the good opinion of
my friends. To know that you spoke of me as you did for Mr. Barfoot
would give me a whole day of happiness.'

'How enviable! To be so easily made happy.'

'Now let me sing you this song of mine. It isn't very good; I haven't
composed for years. But--'

He sat down and rattled over the keys. Monica was expecting a lively
air and spirited words, as in the songs she had heard at Guernsey; but
this composition told of sadness and longing and the burden of a lonely
heart. She thought it very beautiful, very touching. Bevis looked round
to see the effect it produced upon her, and she could not meet his eyes.

'Quite a new sort of thing for me, Mrs. Widdowson. Does it strike you
as so very bad?'

'No--not at all.'

'But you can't honestly praise it?' He sighed, in dejection. 'I meant
to give you a copy. I made this one specially for you, and--if you will
forgive me--I have taken the liberty of dedicating it to you.
Songwriters do that, you know. Of course it is altogether unworthy of
your acceptance--'

'No--no--indeed I am very grateful to you, Mr. Bevis. Do give it to
me--as you meant to.'

'You will have it?' he cried delightedly. 'Now for a triumphal march!'

Whilst he played, with look corresponding to the exultant strain,
Monica rose from her chair. She stood with eyes downcast and lips
pressed together. When the last chord had sounded,--

'Now I must say good-bye, Mr. Bevis. I am so sorry your sisters haven't
come.'

'So am I--and yet I am not. I have enjoyed the happiest half-hour of my
life.'

'Will you give me the piece of music?'

'Let me roll it up. There; it won't be very awkward to carry. But of
course I shall see you again before the end of July? You will come some
other afternoon?'

'If Miss Bevis will let me know when she is quite sure--'

'Yes, she shall. Do you know, I don't think I shall say a word about
what has happened this afternoon. Will you allow me to keep silence
about your call, Mrs. Widdowson? They would be so annoyed--and really
it was a silly thing not to tell them--'

Monica gave no verbal reply. She looked towards the door. Bevis stepped
forward, and held it open.

'Good-bye, then. You know what I told you about my tendency to low
spirits. I'm going to have a terrible turn--down, down, down!'

She laughe