watch the stars come out. There's a fellow here who might interest
you--his painting would, even if he failed to respond to the gentle
Platonism of your flirtations. The forest, too, would interest you. It
is an immense joy. I'm sure you want change of air. Life here is very
cheap, only five francs, room and meals--breakfast and dinner,
everything included except coffee.'

Mildred rejoiced in the prospect of escape from the studio; and her
life quickened at the thought of the inn with its young men, its new
ideas, the friends, the open air, and the great forest that Elsie
described as an immense joy. There was no reason why she should not go
at once, that very day. And the knowledge that she could thus
peremptorily decide her life was in itself a pleasure which she would
not have dispensed with. There were difficulties in the way of
clothes, she wanted some summer dresses. It would be difficult to get
all she wanted before four o'clock. She would have to get the things
ready made, others she could have sent after her. Muslins, trimmings,
hats, stockings, shoes, and sunshades occupied Mildred all the
morning, and she only just got to the Gare de Lyons in time to catch
the four o'clock train. Elsie's letter gave explicit directions, she
was not to go to Fontainebleau, she was to book to Melun, that was the
nearest station, there she would find an omnibus waiting, which would
take her to Barbizon, or, if she did not mind the expense, she could
take a fly which would be pleasanter and quicker.




XIV.