lapped his hand to his pocket, examined the book Dare held out
to him, and took it with thanks. 'I see I am speaking to the artist,
archaeologist, Gothic photographer--Mr. Dare.'

'Professor Dare.'

'Professor? Pardon me, I should not have guessed it--so young as you
are.'

'Well, it is merely ornamental; and in truth, I drop the title in
England, particularly under present circumstances.'

'Ah--they are peculiar, perhaps? Ah, I remember. I have heard that you
are assisting a gentleman in preparing a design in opposition to mine--a
design--'

'"That he is not competent to prepare himself," you were perhaps going
to add?'

'Not precisely that.'

'You could hardly be blamed for such words. However, you are mistaken.
I did assist him to gain a little further insight into the working of
architectural plans; but our views on art are antagonistic, and I assist
him no more. Mr. Havill, it must be very provoking to a well-established
professional man to have a rival sprung at him in a grand undertaking
which he had a right to expect as his own.'

Professional sympathy is often accepted from those whose condolence on
any domestic matter would be considered intrusive. Havill walked up and
down beside Dare for a few moments in silence, and at last showed that
the words had told, by saying: 'Every one may have his opinion. Had I
been a stranger to the Power family, the case would have been different;
but having been specially elected by the lady's father as a competent
adviser in such matters, and then to be degraded to the position of a
mere competitor, it wounds me to the quick--'

'Both in purse and in person, like the ill-used hostess of the Garter.'

'A lady to whom I have been a staunch friend,' continued Havill, not
heeding the interruption.

At that moment sounds seemed to come from Dare which bore a remarkable
resemblance to the words, 'Ho, ho, Havill!' It was hardly credible,
and yet, could he be mistaken? Havill turned. Dare's eye was twisted
comically upward.

'What does that mean?' said Havill coldly, and with some amazement.

'Ho, ho, Havill! "Staunch friend" is good--especially after "an
iconoclast and Vandal by blood"--"monstrosity in the form of a Greek
temple," and so on, eh!'

'Sir, you have the advantage of me. Perhaps you allude to that anonymous
letter?'

'O-ho, Havill!' repeated the boy-man, turning his eyes yet further
towards the zenith. 'To an outsider such conduct would be natural;
bu