'I'd sooner marry you than any one. But---'

'But what?'

Mildred told the story of her engagement, and how in the end she had
been forced to break it off.

'And you think if you engaged yourself to me it might end in the same
way?'

'Yes. And I would not cause you pain. Forgive me.'

'But if you never intend to marry, what do you intend to do?'

'There are other things to do surely.'

'What?'

'There's art.'

'Art!'

'You think I shall not succeed with my painting?'

'No. I did not mean that. I hope you will. But painting is very
difficult. I've found it so. It seems hopeless.'

'You think I shall be a failure? You think that I'd better remain at
home and marry than go to France and study?'