She was already recognised as an artist of no mean order.

Now and then she came down to the Willows, bringing Grace Cobham with her; and the young women filled the house with company.

Now and then they two went abroad together, and satisfied their souls with the beauty of the art of other lands.

But principally they lived in London, for the passion to be near the centre of things had come upon Elisabeth; and when once that comes upon any one, London is the place in which to live.

People wondered that Elisabeth did not marry, and blamed her behind her back for not making suitable hay while it was as yet summer with her.