A spurious Japanese dragon in faence, an inartistic monstrosity dear to her heart, at which I had often railed, grinned forgivingly at me from the mantel-piece.

I have never realised how closely bound up with my habits was this drawing-room of Judith's.

I stopped once more by her side.
"I can't leave you altogether, dear," I said, gently.

"A bit of myself is in this room." Her bosom shook with unhappy laughter.
"A bit ?" Then she turned suddenly on me.

"Are you simply dull or sheerly cruel ?" "I am dull," said I."Why do you refuse my friendship?
Our relation has been scarcely more.