to see her
again. Surely they might at least shake hands and part as friends. So
she tore up the letter, and went to prepare herself for the journey to
Chelsea. "I have been brave all through," she murmured; "and I mustn't
spoil it at the end by turning coward. I am taking all the blame--let me
be strong enough to take it face to face with him."

And now she was impatient to have done with it all. Her mission was
ended. So, although he would not be looking for her yet, she would
descend on him, even at the risk of disturbing him. The commission from
the bank had already been completed, and at present he was making
cartoons and sketches for new pictures. But he would be all the more
grateful afterwards that she had not delayed her coup.

She got into a hansom, which, choosing its route through unobstructed
back streets, arrived at her goal wonderfully soon. She got down firmly,
paid the driver, and walked up the steps unfalteringly. She felt her
calm and self-control as a great blessing; she had so long schooled
herself for this moment, and it was splendid to feel how actual a fact
was her resignation, how completely ingrained in her this acceptance of
the inevitable.

She let herself in with her key for the last time, and put it on the
hall table lest she should forget to leave it afterwards. Then she went
upstairs, and tapped gently at the door of the studio, though it stood
half open. She found Wyndham in a mood that was even a shade more
affable than usual. Indeed, he seemed almost light-hearted to-day as he
came forward with a friendly alertness to greet her, and pressed his
lips affectionately to her forehead, and wheeled forward a chair for
her. She was in a close-fitting coat and skirt, of a heliotrope shade,
and there were roses in her hat. But, in spite of this burst of spring
gaiety, her face retained the marked pallor that had characterised it of
late. He indeed observed it for the first time.

"You must have a little of this light Chambery," he said. "It clears the
head and nerves. I remembered I used to have a glass at the Cafe des
Lilas in the old days whenever I felt done up, so I laid in a few
bottles."

"Do I seem so unusually flurried?" she asked.

She smiled, but he saw at once that the note was forced, and began to
suspect that something was amiss.

"It's rather close to-day--the heat has come upon us all of a rush. It's
sure to be crowded and stuffy at the concert to-night. Now do try my
r