's society could do her so much good as yours. The poor girl
has too long been in need of such an aid to rational cheerfulness."

They were interrupted by the entrance of an English maidservant, who
asked whether Miss Doran would have tea brought at once, or wait till
Mrs. Lessingham's return.

"You see how English we are," said Cecily to her visitor. "I think
we'll have it now; Mrs. Lessingham may be hero any moment."

It was growing dusk. Whilst the conversation was diverted by trifles,
two lighted lamps were brought into the room. Elgar had risen and gone
to the window.

"We won't shut out the evening sky," said Cecily, standing not far from
him.

The door closed upon the servant who had carried in the tea-tray. Elgar
turned to his companion, and said in a musing tone, with a smile:

"How long is it since we saw each other every day in Manchester?"

"Seven years since that short time you spent with us."

"Seven; yes. You were not twelve then; I was not quite twenty-one. As
regards change, a lifetime might have passed since, with both of us.
Yet I don't feel very old, not oppressively ancient."

"And I'm sure I don't."

They laughed together.

"You are younger than you were then," he continued, in his most
characteristic voice, the voice which was musical and alluring, and
suggestive of his nature's passionate depths and heights. "You have
grown into health of body and soul, and out of all the evil things that
would have robbed you of natural happiness. Nothing ever made me more
glad than first seeing you at the villa. I didn't know what you had
become, and in looking at you I rejoiced on your account. You would
gladden even miserable old age, like sunlight on a morning of spring."

Cecily moved towards the tea-table in silence. She began to fill one of
the cups, but put the teapot down again and waited for a moment. Having
resumed her purpose, she looked round and saw Elgar seated sideways on
a chair by the window. With the cup of tea in her hand, she approached
him and offered it without speaking. He rose quickly to take it, and
went to another part of the room.

"I hope Miriam will stay here the whole winter," Cecily said, as she
seated herself by the table.

"I hope so," he assented absently, putting his tea aside. "How long are
you and Mrs. Lessingham likely to stay?"

"At least till February, I think."

"Shall you get as far as Amalfi some day?"

"Oh yes And Miriam will come with us, I hope.