The Dull Miss Archinard

life in strenuous rowing. He had seen much, thought much, done much; yet he had made for no goal, and had

bring the student's ideals into the political arena was to insure defeat; one's friends would consider a carefully discriminating honesty and broad-mindedness mere disloyal luke-warmness, foolish hair-splitting feeblenes

flavor of fanaticism. Perhaps he had given a little pleasure in his more purely literary studies, and Peter thought that he would stick to them in the future, but he had put the future away from him just now. He had only returned from the great passivity of the Orient a few weeks ago, and its example seemed to denote drifting as the supreme wisdom. No effort, no desire; a peaceful receptivity, a peaceful acceptance of the smiles or buffets of fate; that was Odd's ideal-for the present. He was a little sick of everything. The Occidental's energy for combat was lulled wit

re during her wanderings, and it would have taken a long time for any one to find out that it was of a rather second-hand quality, and sought more for attainment than for enjoyment. Katherine talked with clever people and read clever reviews, and being clever herself, with a very acute critical taste, she knew with the utmost refinement of perception just what to like and just what to dislike; and as she tolerated only the very best, her liking gave value. Yet au fond Katherine did not really care even for the very ve

her rather pathetic in a way. There was a look of daring and revolt

characteristic of her. She evidently found no fault with Hilda. Others might do so-the shrug implied that, implied as well that Ka

ce in the evening; once to be received by Katherine alone, Hilda was already in dèshabille it seemed, and once to find not even Katherine;

in those about her; "but no, she's only that tired!" and Odd departed with a deepened sense of Hilda's wilful immolation. Kat

was on the point of going. She wore the same bl

r conditions he still used the familiar app

was certainly the swe

ly devotion; the

Mrs Archinard; "she has my skin. B

o see the masterpieces." Odd spoke with a touch o

thing either unc

ome to see you in your studio?" Th

med even to cast a beseeching glance at Kather

for the Champs de Mars. But, Hild

it would be so nice to see you there!" she spoke with a gay and sudden warmth; "only you m

rrow," said Katherine, "he

ed visit would have been more so, yet wondering whether Hilda alone mig

her easel to open the door to them. A red-haired woman was lying on a sofa in a far, dim corner, a vase of white flowers at her head. There was a big linen apron of butcher's blue over the black dress, and Hilda looked very neat, less pallid, too, than Odd had seen her look a

y a fourth life-size. It was a picture of elusive shadows, touched with warmer lights in its grays and greens. The woman's half-hidden face was exquisite in color.

tood staring before the canvas; he had p

decorative?" said Katherine, "all those lo

e young artist. Her eyes met his with their wide, sweet gaze that sai

s lov

ke it r

Odd turned to Katherine, it was difficult not to merge Hilda in her art, not to talk about h

ng imitativeness seems unfortunately characteristic. Certainly H

"delightful as she is! She could touch a few notes surely, gracefully; Hilda

the other a woman in white standing at a window and looking out at the twilight. This last was, perhaps,

dreams and shad

ings one is fitted for. I like all sorts of pictures, but I lik

voulons la

ur, rien que

ink, Mr. Odd, so naturally she paints them. 'L'art c'est la

nd I see?" On turning to Hilda he had caught sight of a dachshund-rather white about the muzzle, but very luminous and gentle

Palamon o

ame over H

Palamon. Arcite fulfilled h

win and

Spencer wa

slowly turned to one side in an ecstasy of appreciation. Odd looked down at Hilda. Katherine was behind him. "Poor Palamon, 'allone, withouten any companye.'

and there was silence behind them, for Katherine, with her usual good-humored tact, was examining the picture. The model on the sofa stretched her arm

he a great deal with you? That is a different

s towards their own kind. He did miss Arcite though, at first, I am sure; but he certainly is not lonely. I bring him here with me, a

he model, for he trotted affably toward her, standing with a lazy, smiling wave of the tail before her, while she add

tired working here

ng worth doing makes o

art very seri

seriously." Hilda smiled

you; you really hav

g de trop. I must carry you off, M

self-centred little egotist? Odd wondered, as he and Katherine walked away together. Katherine's warmly