He was here yesterday, and talked of Hector, but indeed I did not know how to tell him.

We are to be married by special licence in Birmingham, so really there is no reason why he should know.

But now I must hurry or I shall miss my train." When his sister was gone Robert went up to his studio, and having ground some colours upon his palette he stood for some time, brush and mahlstick in hand, in front of his big bare canvas.

But how profitless all his work seemed to him now! What object had he in doing it?
Was it to earn money?
Money could be had for the asking, or, for that matter, without the asking.

Or was it to produce a thing of beauty?
But he had artistic faults.