anager is such a
charming person. Besides, what are banks for but to oblige their
clients? How pale you look, little girl! Were you not late last night?"

Sophy swung round in her place.

"I am all right. I spent the evening in my rooms and went to bed at
eleven o'clock. Who's lunching with you? I see the table is laid for
two."

Louise glanced at the clock upon the mantelpiece.

"Mr. Strangewey," she replied. "I suppose he will be here in a minute or
two."

Sophy dropped the housekeeping-book and jumped up.

"I'd better go, then."

"Of course not," Louise answered. "You must stay to lunch. Ring the bell
and tell them to lay a place for you. Afterward, if you like, you may
come in here and finish brooding over these wretched bills while Mr.
Strangewey talks to me."

Sophy came suddenly across the room and sank on the floor at Louise's
feet.

"What are you going to do about Mr. Strangewey, Louise?" she asked
wistfully.

"What am I going to do about him?"

"He is in love with you," Sophy continued. "I am sure--I am almost sure
of it."

Louise's laugh was unconvincing.

"I do not think," she said, "that he quite knows what it means to be in
love."

Sophy suddenly clasped her friend's knees.

"Dear," she whispered, "perhaps I am a little fool, but tell me,
please!"

Louise, for a moment, was startled. Then she leaned forward and kissed
the eager, upturned face.

"You foolish child!" she exclaimed. "I believe that you have been
worrying. Why do you think so much about other people?"

"Please tell me," Sophy begged. "I want to understand how things really
are between you and John Strangewey. Are you in love with him?"

Louise's eyes were soft and dreamy.

"I wish I knew," she answered. "If I am, then there are things in life
more wonderful than I have ever dreamed of. He doesn't live in our
world--and our world, as you know, has its grip. He knows nothing about
my art, and you can guess what life would be to me without that. What
future could there be for him and for me together? I cannot remake
myself."

There was something in Sophy's face which was almost like wonder.

"So this is the meaning of the change in you, Louise! I knew that
something had happened. You have seemed so different for the last few
months."

Louise nodded.

"London has never been the same place to me since I first met him in
Cumberland," she admitted. "Sometimes I think I am--to use your own
words--in love with John.