 do just as you please.«
    »You mean to stay in Naples?«
    »A short time. I've never been here before, and, as I said, I may as well be
here as anywhere else.«
    »When did you last see Mr. Mallard?«
    »Mallard? Why, what makes you speak of him?«
    »You made his acquaintance, I think, not long after you last saw me.«
    »Ha! I understand. That was why he sought me out. You and your friends sent
him to me as a companion likely to do me good.«
    »I knew nothing of Mr. Mallard then - nothing personally. But he doesn't
seem to be the kind of man whose interest you would resent.«
    »Then you know him?« Reuben asked, in a tone of some pleasure.
    »He is in Naples at present.«
    »I'm delighted to hear it. Mallard is an excellent fellow, in his own way,
Somehow I've lost lost sight of him for a long time. He's painting here, I
suppose? Where can I find him?«
    »I don't know his address, but I can at once get it for you. You are sure
that he will welcome you?«
    »Why not? Have you spoken to him about me?«
    »No,« Miriam replied distantly.
    »Why shouldn't he welcome me, then? We were very good friends. Do you
attribute to him such judgments as your own?«
    His way of speaking was subject to abrupt changes. When, as in this
instance, he broke forth impulsively, there was a corresponding gleam in his
fine eyes and a nervous tension in all his frame. His voice had an extraordinary
power of conveying scornful passion; at such moments he seemed to reveal a
profound and strong nature.
    »I am very slightly acquainted with Mr. Mallard,« Miriam answered, with the
cold austerity which was the counterpart in her of Reuben's fiery impulsiveness,
»but I understand that he is considered trustworthy and honourable by people of
like character.«
    Elgar rose from his chair, and in doing so all but flung it down.
    »Trustworthy and honourable! Why, so is many a greengrocer. How the artist
would be flattered to hear this estimate of his personality! The honourable
Mallard! I must tell him that.«
    »You will not dare to repeat words from my lips!« exclaimed Miriam, sternly.
»You have sunk lower even than
