"Ach!" and shook her head.

"The fog is even yet in my throat," proceeded the artist, to whom most
of the guests were listening. "I can still see nothing but lurid
patches of gaslight on a background of solid mephitic fume. There are
fine effects to be caught, there's no denying it; but not every man has
the requisite physique for such studies. As I came along here from the
railway-station, it occurred to me that the Dante story might have been
repeated in my case; the Neapolitans should have pointed at me and
whispered, 'Behold the man who has been in hell!'"

Cecily was amused; she looked at Madeline and exchanged a friendly
glance with her. At the same time she was becoming aware that Mr.
Marsh, who sat opposite, vouchsafed her the homage of his gaze rather
too frequently and persistently. It was soon manifest to her, moreover,
that Madeline had noted the same thing, and not with entire equanimity.
So Cecily began to converse with Mrs. Lessingham, and no longer gave
heed to the artist's utterances.

She was going to spend an hour with Miriam this evening, without
express invitation. Mr. Bradshaw would drive up the hill with her, and
doubtless Mr. Spence would see her safely home. Thus she saw no more
for the present of the Denyers' friend.

Those ladies had a private sitting-room, and thither, in the course of
the evening, Clifford Marsh repaired. Barbara and Zillah, with their
mother, remained in the drawing room. On opening the door to which he
had been directed, Marsh found Madeline bent over a book. She raised
her eyes carelessly, and said:

"Oh, I hoped it was Barbara."

"I will tell her at once that you wish to speak to her."

"Don't trouble."

"No trouble at all."

He turned away, and at once Madeline rose impatiently from her chair,
speaking with peremptory accent.

"Please do as I request you! Come and sit down."

Marsh obeyed, and more than obeyed. He kicked a stool close to her,
dropped upon it with one leg curled underneath him, and leaned his head
against her shoulder. Madeline remained passive, her features still
showing the resentment his manner had provoked.

"I've come all this way just to see you, Mad, when I've no right to be
here at all."

"Why no right?"

"I told you to prepare yourself for bad news."

"That's a very annoying habit of yours. I hate to be kept in suspense
in that way. Why can't you always say at once what you mean? Father
does the same thing constantly in his