wished. But she was very sorry for his loneliness; for his exile from
home on account of ill-health; for the weakness that he often felt and
for which no pleasures purchased by money could compensate. She was
grateful for his kindness, and would not wound him for the world; so she
frankly and graciously accepted all he gave, and, in return, tried to
bring all the happiness she could into his days.




Chapter VIII.

Howard's Questionings.

_When the fight begins within himself,
A man's worth something. God stoops o'er his head,
Satan looks up beneath his feet--both tug--
He's left, himself, i' the middle: the soul wakes
And grows_.

--BROWNING.

[Illustration: PONTE ALLA CARRAJA, FLORENCE.]


At last the morning came when the postponed visit to Santa Maria del
Carmine, on the other side of the Arno, was to be made. Miss Sherman had
so evidently desired to join in the study of the old painters that Mrs.
Douglas suggested to her brother that she be invited to do so, but he
had thought it not best.