o Mr. Hamel's
studio,--an expedition which was made somewhat on the sly. Aunt
Margaret in Kingsbury Crescent knew all about it, but Aunt
Emmeline was kept in the dark. Even now, though the marriage was
sanctioned and was so nearly at hand, Aunt Emmeline would not
have approved of such a visit. She still regarded the sculptor as
improper,--at any rate not sufficiently proper to be treated with
full familiarity,--partly on account of his father's manifest
improprieties, and partly because of his own relative poverty and
unauthorised position in the world. But Aunt Margaret was more
tolerant, and thought that the sister-in-law was entitled to visit
the workshop in which her sister's future bread was to be earned.
And then, starting from Kingsbury Crescent, they could go in a cab;
whereas any such proceeding emanating from Queen's Gate would have
required the carriage. There was a wickedness in this starting off in
a Hansom cab to call on an unmarried young man, doing it in a manner
successfully concealed from Aunt Emmeline, on which Ayala expatiated
with delight when she next saw Colonel Stubbs.

"You don't come and call on me," said the Colonel.

"What!--all the way down to Aldershot? I should like, but I don't
quite dare to do that."

The visit was very successful. Though it was expected, Hamel was
found in his artist's costume, with a blouse or loose linen tunic
fitted close round his throat, and fastened with a belt round his
waist. Lucy thought that in this apparel he was certainly as handsome
as could ever have been any Apollo,--and, so thinking, had contrived
her little plans in such a way that he should certainly be seen at
his best. To her thinking Colonel Stubbs was not a handsome man.
Hamel's hair was nearly black, and she preferred dark hair. Hamel's
features were regular, whereas the Colonel's hair was red, and he was
known for a large mouth and broad nose, which were not obliterated
though they were enlightened by the brightness of his eyes. "Yes,"
said Ayala to herself, as she looked at Hamel; "he is very good
looking, but nobody would take him for an Angel of Light."

"Ayala has come to see you at your work," said Lucy, as they entered
the studio.

"I am delighted to see her. Do you remember where we last met, Miss
Dormer?"

"Miss Dormer, indeed," said Ayala. "I am not going to call you Mr.
Hamel. Yes; it was high up among the seats of the Coliseum. There has
a great deal happened to us all since t