"Truly!" He affected dejection. "And poor Madame Brossard thought
monsieur had returned to our old hotel because he liked it, and
remembered our wine of Beaune and the good beds and old Gaston's
cooking!"

"Do not weep, Amedee," I said. "I have come to paint; not because I know
the people who have taken Quesnay." And I added: "I may not see them at
all."

In truth I thought that very probable. Miss Elizabeth had mentioned in
one of her notes that Ward had leased Quesnay, but I had not sought
quarters at Les Trois Pigeons because it stood within walking distance
of the chateau. In my industrious frame of mind that circumstance seemed
almost a drawback. Miss Elizabeth, ever hospitable to those whom she
noticed at all, would be doubly so in the country, as people always are;
and I wanted all my time to myself--no very selfish wish since my time
was not conceivably of value to any one else. I thought it wise to leave
any encounter with the lady to chance, and as the by-paths of the
country-side were many and intricate, I intended, without ungallantry,
to render the chance remote. George himself had just sailed on a
business trip to America, as I knew from her last missive; and until his
return, I should put in all my time at painting and nothing else, though
I liked his sister, as I have said, and thought of her--often.

Amedee doubted my sincerity, however, for he laughed incredulously.

"Eh, well, monsieur enjoys saying it!"

"Certainly. It is a pleasure to say what one means."