The Emancipated

th many doubts, with divers temptations. "Shall I the spigot wield?" Must the ambitions of his glowing youth come to naught, and he descend to rank among th

uggle with penury; and these glimpses of Bohemia were far from inspiring Clifford with zeal for naturalization. Elated with wine and companionship, he liked to pose as one who was sacrificing "prospects" to artistic conscie

r. Hibbert had a strong opinion that this money should by now have begun to make some show of productiveness. Domestic grounds of dissatisfaction ripened his resolve to be firm with young Mr. Marsh. Mrs. Hibbert was extravagant; doubtless her son was playing the fool in the same direction. After all, one could pay too much for

to stop his allowance; Mrs. Denyer had reasons for thinking otherwise, and her daughter saw the case in the same light. It must be added that he presumed the Denyers to be better off than they really were; in fact, he was to a great extent misled. His dignity, if the worst came about, would not have shrunk from moderate assistance at the

adeline knew not whether to be glad or offended at his remaining. For two or three days only; then she began to have a pronounced opinion on the subject. It was monstrous that he

nvited the young man t

time has come for me to ask an explanation of what is going on. My daughter distresses me by saying that all is at an end bet

sunderstanding between us, but I am very far from reconciling myself to t

ask you another question. What can you mean by paying undi

at foundation is the

he person of whom I speak. I assure you that

accurate, you would have noticed that Miss Doran gives me no opportunity of paying her attentions, if I wished. C

bout the museum with both these

rtled, and could

f my movements are watched, w

ke off sig

t if I happen to hear of such thing

y by chance, and that our conversation was solely o

caustic comment on this apology, "that, when we sit at table, your eyes a

ing his head back, remarked

will not forget th

at you profess to

ch her remarks were from the first directed, and it was not her intention to spare the young man's susceptibilities. She

tand you," said M

y think a slight. Of course you have never given a thought to Miss Doran, who, as you say, would never dream of carrying on a flirtation, for she knows how things are between you and Madeline, and she is a young lady of very proper behaviour. In no case, as you of course understand, could she be so indelicate as anything of this kind would imply. No;

ing this speech. He let a moment

o do anything of th

ess at your back, you can indulge your artistic tastes quite sufficiently, and will make yourself the centre of an admiring circle. We cannot all be stars of the first magnitude. Be content to shine in a provincial sphere, at all ev

d to such concessions. The debate went on for a long time, ultimately with no little vigour on both sides

admiration of her endowments; but she would not let Clifford Marsh imagine that it mattered to her in the least if he at once transferred his devotion to Miss Doran. Her tone in conversing w

ano, I think?" s

wn amusem

you d

e same r

e a pastime of an art? I soon saw that I was never likely really to do anything in music or drawin

think you are quite right; I often enough have the same feeling.

te, and of course breathed to Cecily a word of warning; but the family entertained her, and Ma

did expect and find. It is heart-breaking, this progress! If it were not for my dear girls, I shouldn't be here; they adore Italy-of course, never having known it as it was. And I am sure you must feel, as I do, Mrs. Lessingha

nce and magnitude; she would hint that he had political missions, naturally not to be spoken of in plain terms. Mrs. Lessingham often wondered with a smile what the truth really was; she saw no reason for mak

bours, what were the characteristics of the nearest town, how long it took to drive from the "place" to the town, from the "place" to such another "place," and so on. Mr. Musselwhite was undisguisedly grateful for every remark or question that kept him talking at his ease. It was always his dread lest a subject should be broached on which he could

s, and doubtless shrinking from the ennui that lay before him until dinner-time. Near him, Mrs. Denyer, Ba

. Denyer, with emphasis, to her eldest girl. "The o

eplied Barbara, "but I can't agree

hite was sl

nion," said the mother. "I wonde

iring smile. Barbara withdrew a step, but Mrs. Denyer, in the most natural way p

s gaze placidly, with gracefully poised head, her hands joined behind her. It was such a long time before the arbiter found

length, with grave conscientiousness. "I think they're both

oo childish," said Mrs. Denyer, using her

girl's features; hitherto they had been, like everything else not embalmed in his memory, a mere

vaciously. "It is charming; they are both charm

ination of the head, she left the room, followed by her daughters. Mr. Musselwhi

r. Mrs. Denyer would have had her make conciliatory movements, whereas Madeline, who had not exchanged a word with Clifford since the parting in wrath

self-consciousness; not for an instant did he forget to regulate the play of his features. Mrs. Denyer he had greeted distantly; her daughters, more distantly still. He did not look more than once or twice in Miss Doran's direction, for Mrs. Denyer's reproof had made hi

them were now honoured with the special attention of Mr. Marsh. Clifford was never so much in his element as when conversing of art and kindred matters with persons who avowed their deficiencies in that sphere of knowledge, yet were willing to learn; relieved from the fear of criticism, he expanded, he glowed, he dogmatized. With Mrs. Lessingham he could not be entirely at his ease; her e

Mrs. Denyer and Madeline. The latter point was handled with a good deal of tact, for Clifford had it in view' that through Mr. Bradshaw his words would one way or other reach Mrs. Lessingham, and so perchance come to Miss Doran's ears. He made no unworthy charges; he spoke not in anger, but in s

ked the bluff Jacob, with a smil

e noble reply. "I cannot

hey are necessary to an artist, as

d smile

first who has star

related this conver

aid. "When I hear he's given in, I'll