abandoning Madeline, his sincere view of the matter was that she had
proved herself unworthy: however sensible her attitude, a girl had no
right to put such questions to her lover as she had done, to injure his
self-love. When he plotted with himself to engage Cecily's interest, he
said that it was the course any lover would have pursued. And in the
end he really persuaded himself that he was in love with her.

Yet none the less he thought of Madeline with affection. He was piqued
that she made no effort to bring him back to her feet. To be sure, her
mother's behaviour probably implied Madeline's desire of
reconciliation, but he wished her to make personal overtures; he would
have liked to see her approach him with humble eyes, not troubling
himself to debate how he should act in that event. With Mrs. Denyer he
was once more on terms of apparent friendliness, though he held no
private dialogue with her; he was willing that she should suppose him
gradually coming over to her views. Barbara and Zillah showed
constraint when he spoke with them, but this he affected not to
perceive. Only with Madeline he did not converse. Her air of
unconcernedness at length proved too much for his patience, and so it
came about that Madeline received by post a letter addressed in
Clifford's hand. She took it to her bedroom, and broke the envelope
with agitation.

"Your behaviour is heartless. Just when I am in deep distress, and need
all possible encouragement in the grave struggle upon which I have
entered--for I need not tell you that I am resolved to remain an
artist--you desert me, and do your best to show that you are glad at
being relieved of all concern on my account. It is well for me that I
see the result of this test, but, I venture to think, not every woman
would have chosen your course. I shall very shortly leave Naples. It
will no doubt complete your satisfaction to think of me toiling
friendless in London. Remember this as my farewell.--C. M."

The next morning Clifford received what he expected, a reply, also sent
by post. It was written in the clearest and steadiest hand, on
superfine paper.

"I am sorry you should have repeated your insult in a written form; I
venture to think that not every man would have followed this course.
For myself, it is well indeed that I see the result of the test to
which you have been exposed. But I shall say and think no more of it.
As you leave soon, I would suggest that we should b