talks about the old painters; to her unwearied study of them; to her
evident sympathy with him on all occasions.

Then, in a flash she remembered her faintness in the carriage on the
drive to Sorrento and connected it, as she had never before dreamed of
doing, with the conversation then going on; and recalled all those days
since when she had been so different from the old-time Barbara.

And poor Bettina sat, a disconsolate little figure, before her
half-filled trunk, just ready to cry with sheer vexation at her
blindness. Then, the thought came that if Mr. Sumner did really love
Barbara all would be well. But, alas! the doubt followed whether, after
all, the pictures meant anything more than the artist's love for a
beautiful face, and his desire to render it on his canvas. She grew more
and more miserable in her sympathy for her sister, and at her enforced
separation from her, and the hours of that day, though of necessity busy
ones, seemed almost interminable.

The following noon found them together again.

Bettina entered her sister's room, which opened full upon the
rose-garden they had enjoyed before,--now filled with blossoms and
fragrance,--to find Barbara sitting in a big easy-chair, with a tray
before her, on which were spread toast and tea, flanked by a dainty
flask of Orvieto wine, while the same wrinkled old chambermaid who had
served them two and a half months ago stood, with beaming face, watching
her efforts to eat.

Barbara's eyes were brighter, the flush gone from her face, and she said
she did not feel like the same girl who had been half carried away from