y
sending it back. Better times are coming presently, and, if God is good,
this little help now may bring you the best of fortune.--Your loving
sister, MARY."

Wyndham was unnerved; realising to the full the torture her gentle,
sympathetic nature was inflicting on her. What it must have cost her to
gather up her strength for that critical interview he could only
remotely surmise. Yet it had failed her after all!

However touched he was by her sweetness, however much he was moved to
respond to this prostration and surrender, he yet saw only too clearly
that at bottom it _was_ a failure of strength. The idea of using the
money was singularly distasteful; even though he told himself he would
have his hand cut off rather than doubt her perfect goodness and
sincerity in sending it.

This necessity of a difficult decision disturbed the nice cool balance
with which he had started out to face the day. There was nothing for it
but to put aside the letter for the present in the hope that counsel
would come to him later. And in the meanwhile he went on with his
programme. He tidied his papers, went to hunt out his old charwoman,
and, ultimately leaving her in possession of the studio, he ran into
town to get his new materials, and look up the various accessories for
the scheme of the picture.

His first visit was to a shop in Oxford Street, where he had dealt ever
since his student days, and where he could order what he needed without
immediate payment. A burly man in a Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers
was making purchases at one of the counters, and his back seemed not
unfamiliar. Wyndham brought out his list and was going through the
various items with one of the assistants when a heavy hand was placed on
his shoulder, and, turning, he beheld the big powerful head and pointed
beard of one of the old gang of his Latin Quarter days.

"Sadler!" he exclaimed.

The big head was convulsed with laughter, and Wyndham's hand wrung in a
mighty grip.

"How jolly! I was coming to look you up! I've just ferreted out your
address; you're still fixed out there at Hampstead?"

"Oh, do come--I shall be delighted," said Wyndham genially. "Have you
been in London long?"

"Three weeks. After knocking about for five years--what do you think of
that, my boy? First went all over Spain--made scores of studies. Gee!
First-rate! Cheapest place in Europe--exchange thirty-five to the
sovereign--and lots of good eating. Went to see a bit of Vel