s all but beyond her strength.

They had in common that personal diffidence which is one of the phases
of pride, and which proves so fruitful a source of misunderstandings.
For all her self-esteem, Miriam could not obtain the conviction that,
as a woman, she strongly interested Mallard; and the artist found it
very hard to persuade himself that Miriam thought of him as anything
but a man of some talent, whose attention was agreeable, and perhaps a
little flattering. Still, he could not but notice that her changed
behaviour connected itself with Cecily's arrival. It seemed to him
extraordinary, almost incredible, that she should be jealous of his
relations with her sister-in-law. Had she divined his passion for
Cecily at Naples? (He cherished a delusion that the secret had never
escaped him.) But to attribute jealousy to her was to assume that she
set a high value on his friendship.

Miriam had glanced at the Apollo as he spoke. Conscious of his eyes
upon her, she looked away, saying in a forced tone:

"I had no such thought. You misunderstood me."

"It was all my fault, then, and I am sorry for it. You said just now
that you preferred to be alone. I shall come to the hotel to-morrow,
just to say good-bye."

He rose; and Miriam, as she did the same, asked formally:

"You are still uncertain how long you remain here?"

"Quite," was his answer, cheerfully given.

"You are not going to work?"

"No; it is holiday with me for a while. I wish you were staying a
little longer."

"You will still have friends here."

Mallard disliked the tone of this.

"Oh yes," he replied. "I hope to see Mrs. Lessingham and Mrs. Elgar
sometimes."

He paused; then added:

"I dare say I shall return to England about the same time that they do.
May I hope to see you in London?"

"I am quite uncertain where I shall be."

"Then perhaps we shall not meet for a long time.--Will you let me give
you one or two little drawings that may help to remind you of Italy?"

Miriam's cheeks grew warm, and she east down her eyes.

"Your drawings are far too valuable to be given as one gives trifles,
Mr. Mallard."

"I don't wish you to receive them as trifles. One of their values to me
is that I can now and then please a friend with them. If you had rather
I did not think of you as a friend, then you would be right to refuse
them."

"I will receive them gladly."

"Thank you. They shall be sent to the hotel."

They shook hands, and he le