 after- he recalled this day, it seemed to him that he
had himself been well contented; it dwelt in his memory with a sunny glow. He
saw Cecily's unsurpassable grace as she walked beside him, and her look of
winning candour turned to him so often, and he fancied that it had given him
pleasure to be with her. And pleasure there was, no doubt, but inextricably
blended with complex miseries. To Cecily his mood appeared more gracious than
she had ever known it; he did not disdain to converse on topics which
presupposed some knowledge on her part, and there was something of unusual
gentleness in his tone which she liked.
    »Some day,« she said, »we shall talk of Baiæ in London, in a November fog.«
    »I hope not.«
    »But such contrasts help one to get the most out of life,« she rejoined,
laughing. »At all events, when some one happens to speak to me of Mr. Mallard's
pictures, I shall win credit by casually mentioning that I was at Baiæ in his
company in such-and-such a year.«
    »You mean, when I have painted my last?«
    »No, no! It would be no pleasure to me to anticipate that time.«
    »But natural, in talking with a veteran.«
    It was against his better purpose that he let fall these words; they
contained almost a hint of his hidden self, and he had not yet allowed anything
of the kind to escape him. But the moment proved too strong.
    »A veteran who fortunately gives no sign of turning grey,« replied Cecily,
glancing at his hair.
    An interruption from Spence put an end to this dangerous dialogue. Mallard,
inwardly growling at himself, resisted the temptation to further tête-à-tête,
and in a short time the party went in search of a conveyance for their return.
None offered that would hold four persons; the ordinary public carriages have
convenient room for two only, and a separation was necessary. Mallard succeeded
in catching Spence's eye, and made him understand with a savage look that he was
to take Cecily with him. This arrangement was effected, and the first carriage
drove off with those two, Cecily exchanging merry words with an old Italian who
had rendered no kind of service, but came to beg his mancia on the strength of
being able to utter a few sentences in English.
    For the first time, Mallard was alone with Mrs. Baske. Miriam had not
concealed surprise at the new adjustment of
