rowing in the world. I believe that you are strong enough to
stand alone, to remain yourself. I pray that it may be so, and yet,
there is just the shadow of the presentiment. Perhaps it is foolish."

Their chairs were close together; he suddenly felt the perfume of her
hair and the touch of her fingers upon his hand. Her face was quite
close to his.

"At least," she murmured, "I pray that I may never lose your
friendship."

"If only I could ensure you as confidently the fulfilment of all your
desires," he answered, "you would be a very happy woman. I am too
lonely a man, Berenice, to part with any of my few joys. Whether you
change or no, you must never change towards me."

She was silent. There were no signs left of the brilliant levity which
had made their little luncheon pass off so successfully. She sat with
her head resting upon her elbow, gazing steadily up at the little
white clouds which floated over the housetops. A tea equipage was
brought out and deftly arranged between them.

"To-day," Matravers said, "I am going to have the luxury of having my
tea made for me. Please come back from dreamland and realize the
Englishman's idyll of domesticity."

She turned in her chair, and smiled upon him.

"I can do it," she assured him. "I believe you doubt my ability, but
you need not."

They talked lightly for some time--an art which Matravers found
himself to be acquiring with wonderful facility. Then there was a
pause. When she spoke again, it was in an altogether different tone.

[Illustration: "I can do it," she assured him. "I believe you doubt my
ability, but you need not"]

"I want you to answer me," she said, "it is not too late. Shall I give
up Bathilde--and the stage? Listen! You do not know anything of my
circumstances. I am not dependent upon either the stage or my writing
for a living. I ask you for your honest advice. Shall I give it up?"

"You are placing a very heavy responsibility upon my shoulders," he
answered her thoughtfully. "Yet I will try to answer you honestly. I
should be happier if I could advise you to give it up! But I cannot!
You have the gift--you must use it. The obligation of self-development
is heaviest upon the shoulders of those whose foreheads Nature's
twin-sister has touched with fire! I would it were any other gift,
Berenice; but that is only a personal feeling. No! you must follow out
your destiny. You have an opportunity of occupying a unique and
marvellous position.