'I suppose you had nothing else to do this afternoon; it was too hot
to go out in the cart. Do you like painting?'

'Yes, I think I do.'

They were looking at each other--and there was a questioning look in
the girl's eyes--for she perceived in that moment more distinctly than
she had before the difference in their natures.

'Have you finished the smoking cap you are making for me?'

'No; I did not feel inclined to go on with it.'

Something in Mildred's tone of voice and manner struck Alfred, and,
dropping his self-consciousness, he said:

'You thought that I'd like a water-colour sketch better.'

Mildred did not answer.

'I should like to have some drawings to hang in the smoking-room when
we're married. But I like figures better than landscapes. You never
tried horses and dogs, did you?'

'No, I never did,' Mildred answered languidly, and she continued to
work on her sky. But her thoughts were far from it, and she noticed
that she was spoiling it. 'No, I never tried horses and dogs.'

'But you could, dearest, if you were to try. You could do anything you