hatting in this trivial fashion,
they were fortunate to meet a hansom, though they had abandoned the hope
of one at that hour, and were prepared to stroll all the way.

"Let us say goodbye here," she insisted. "It is simpler, and perhaps
easier. We part just as two friends who have met casually."

"Goodbye, then," he said huskily. "I wish you many happy days and dreams
in your wanderings in the sun-lands."

"And I wish you the power to be as great in your life as I am sure you
will be in your work." She held his hand with a gentle pressure. "You
will be loyal to her," was her last wistful whisper. Then she gave him a
parting smile, full of sweetness and affection, and he heard the driver
crack his whip, and the horse started off briskly.

Wyndham was left standing on the pavement, his head bowed. For a long
minute he did not stir, and when he roused himself again to look after
the hansom, it was already in the distance, though the trot, trot, of
the horse came sharply to him. He watched it till it was out of sight,
then turned slowly and gently homewards.

XXVI

"Father," said Alice Robinson the next morning at the breakfast-table,
"I want you to find some more portraits for us. This whole month has to
be given up to the big thing for the Academy, and then we shall come to
a stop for the present, at any rate so far as immediately remunerative
work is concerned, and you must not forget we have a heavy rent to pay
now."

"I shall certainly keep my weather eye open," declared Mr. Robinson,
"and my ears too. Portraits in oils are rather the thing just now in the
City, and I daresay we shall be able to find something for you."

"That is nice of you, father. I think I am just beginning to like you."

Mr. Robinson smiled, and looked across at her affectionately. "You know
it is my greatest pleasure to work for you both," he said.

Alice bore his gaze heroically, sustained by the curious satisfaction
she felt at having thus set the never-failing machinery in motion. But
his trusting belief that all was well touched the tenderest chords of
her nature. She longed to throw herself into his arms, to tell him the
terrible truth. But why cause him suffering when she still hoped to
avert it from everybody, and let the whole burden rest on her shoulders
alone? She must do nothing abrupt, nothing to cause any trouble or
scandal; above all, she must pay the most watchful regard to the peace
of those around her.

For