tried. You are so clever.'

'I don't know that I am; I should like to be.'

They looked at each other, and anxiously each strove to read the
other's thoughts.

'Landscapes are more suited to a drawing-room than a smoking-room. It
will look very well in your drawing-room when we're married. We shall
want some pictures to cover the walls.'

At the word marriage, Mildred's lips seemed to grow thinner. The
conversation paused. Alfred noticed that she hesitated, that she was
striving to speak. She had broken off her engagement once before with
him, and he had begun to fear that she was going to do so again. There
was a look of mingled irresolution and determination in her face. She
continued to work on her sky; but at every touch it grew worse, and,
feeling that she had irretrievably spoilt her drawing, she said:

'But do you think that we shall ever be married, Alfred?'

'Of course. Why? Are you going to break it off?'

'We have been engaged nearly two years, and there seems no prospect of
our being married. Harold will never consent. It does not seem fair to
keep you waiting any longer.'

'I'd willingly wait twenty years for you, Mildred.'

She looked at him a little tenderly, and he continued more