And to Capri too."

"I must see Capri. I shouldn't wonder if I go there soon; probably it
would suit my purpose better than Amalfi. Yet I must be alone, if I am
to work. I haven't Mallard's detachment. That seems to you a paltry
confession of weakness."

"No, indeed. I am told that Mr. Mallard is quite exceptional in his
power of disregarding everything but his work."

"Exceptional in many things, no doubt. I must seem very insignificant
in comparison."

"Why should you? Mr. Mallard is so much older; he has long been fixed
in his course."

"Older, yes," assented Elgar, with satisfaction. "Perhaps at his age I
too may have done something worth doing."

"Who could doubt it?"

"It does me good to hear you say that!"

He moved from his distant place, and threw himself in one of his usual
careless attitudes on a nearer chair. "But Miriam has no faith in me,
not a jot Does she speak harshly of me to you?"

"No."

Cecily shook her head, and seemed unable to speak more than the
monosyllable.

"But she has nothing encouraging to say? She shows that she looks upon
me as one of whom no good can come? That is the impression you have
received from her?"

Cecily looked at him gravely.

"She has scarcely spoken of you at all--scarcely more than the few
words that were inevitable."

"In itself a condemnation."

Cecily was mute. Before Elgar could say anything more, the door opened.
With a sudden radiance on her features, the girl looked up to greet
Mrs. Lessingham's entrance.

"How long you have been, aunt!"

"Yes; I am sorry. How do you do, Mr. Elgar? Tea, Cecily, lest I perish!"

From the doorway her quick glance had scrutinized both the young
people. Of course she betrayed no surprise; neither did she make
exhibition of pleasure. Her greeting of the visitor was gracefully
casual, given in passing. She sank upon a low chair as if overcome with
weariness. Mrs. Lessingham had nothing to learn in the arts wherewith
social intercourse is kept smooth in spite of nature's improprieties.
When she chose, she could be the awe-inspiring chaperon, no less
completely than she was at other times the contemner of the commonplace.

"So you leave us to-morrow, Mr. Elgar? I have just met Mr. Spence, and
heard the news from him. I am glad you could find a moment to call. You
are going to be very busy, I hear, for the rest of the winter."

"I hope so," Elgar replied, walking across the room to fetch his
half-emptied teacup.