ng."

"Travelling," I answered, encouraged to nonchalance by the impression I
was making, for to travel merely sounded much more prosperous than to
be working at the rudiments of an art. "She has been over since last
May--just travelling around."

"And gathering together a trousseau--how delightful! You must be
counting the days till she comes home, David?"

I nodded. I tried my best to look as though at that very moment I was
busy with the fond calculation.

"And who is with her--some friend?" Penelope asked.

"Her father and mother," I answered. That sounded still more
prosperous: the family of three--the learned doctor, his wife and
accomplished daughter--wandering where they willed about the world. I
should have stopped there, but I am one of those unfortunate persons
who in telling anything must tell it all. My better judgment made me
hesitate. My habit carried me on. "And Judge Bundy," I added.

"Judge who?" she exclaimed.

I fancied that I detected a strange note in her voice.

"Bundy--Judge Bundy," I replied, my own voice rising to a pitch of
irritation.

Would she go on and make me spell the name that sounded so strangely
when spoken in her presence? I was angry. It was at myself for my
uncalled-for frankness. For one brief moment I had almost raised
myself again to the level of the dainty creature in the old carved
chair, to the approval even of the majestic lady above the great
fireplace; speaking so nonchalantly of my friends who could wander
where they willed over the face of the globe, I had almost made myself
one with those for whom Italian sculptors drove the chisel and Reynolds
plied his brush. But that name, so unwisely given, called to my mind
the figure on the camel, and I was sure that by some strange freak of
conjury Penelope must see it too; and worse, that other, the girl in
the pugree, and behind them, discreetly placed, Doctor Todd,
uncomfortably balancing on his giant beast, and Mrs. Todd taken
inopportunely as she was mopping her brow. Well might Penelope look at
me with quizzical eyes. I had tumbled again among the common herd. In
my desperation I might have gone on to the whole truth recklessly; told
her what an absurd man Judge Bundy really was, and how the Todds were
being dragged over Europe on a glorified Cook's tour, captives at the
wheels of his chariot; told her how I appreciated her sweet
condescension in offering to call on the woman I loved. The woman I