and he said, referring to the duck which they had both been watching:

'I shall dangle round you for a time, and when I come too near you'll
chase me away until at last you'll make up your mind that you can
stand it no longer, and will refuse ever to see me again.'




VI.


She had had a rough passage: sea sickness still haunted in her, she
was pale with fatigue, and her eyes longed for sleep. But Elsie and
Cissy were coming to take her to the studio at ten o'clock. So she
asked to be called at nine, and she got up when she was called.

The gilt clock was striking ten in the empty drawing-room when she
entered. 'I didn't expect her to get up at six to receive me, but she
might be up at ten, I think. However, it doesn't much matter. I
suppose she's looking after her sick husband. ... Well, I don't think
much of her drawing-room. Red plush sofas and chairs. It is just like
an hotel, and the street is dingy enough,' thought Mildred, as she
pulled one of the narrow lace curtains aside: I don't think much of
Paris. But it doesn't matter, I shall be at the studio nearly all
day.'

A moment after Mrs. Fargus entered. 'I'm so sorry,' she said, 'I
wasn't up to receive you, but---'