don't think of women as independent beings, who
must save or lose themselves on their own responsibility. You are not willing to
trust them alone.«
    »Well, perhaps you are right.«
    »Of course I am. Come and dine at the hotel. I think Seaborne will be
there.«
    »No, thank you.«
 
Mallard had waited but a few minutes in the court of the Palazzo Borghese next
morning, when Miriam joined him. There was some constraint on both sides.
Miriam, looked as if she did not wish yesterday's conversation to be revived in
their manner of meeting. Her Good-morning, Mr. Mallard, had as little reference
as possible to the fact of this being an appointment. The artist was in quite
another mood than that of yesterday; his smile was formal, and he seemed
indisposed for conversation.
    »I have the permesso,« he said, leading at once to the door of the gallery.
    They sauntered about the first room, exchanging a few idle remarks. In the
second, a woman past the prime of life was copying a large picture. They looked
at her work from a distance, and Miriam asked if it was well done.
    »What do you think yourself?« asked Mallard.
    »It seems to me skilful and accurate, but I know that perhaps it is neither
one nor the other.«
    He pointed out several faults, which she at once recognized.
    »I wonder I could not see them at first. That confirms me in distrust of
myself. I am as likely as not to admire a thing that is utterly worthless.«
    »As likely as not - no; at least, I think not. But of course your eye is
untrained, and you have no real knowledge to go upon. You can judge an original
picture sentimentally, and your sentiment will not be wholly misleading. You
can't judge a copy technically, but I think you have more than average
observation. How would you like to spend your life like this copyist?«
    »I would give my left hand to have her skill in my right.«
    »You would?«
    »I should be able to do something - something definite and tolerably good.«
    »Why, so you can already; one thing in particular.«
    »What is that?«
    »Learn your own deficiencies; a thing that most people neither will nor can.
Look at this Francia, and tell me your thoughts about it.«
    She examined the picture for a minute or two. Then, without moving