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the brilliant remark, he observed that the girl had turned her head away and was once more unconcernedly painting! By that time, at least two precious seconds having elapsed, he was but twenty feet away from her, and the psychological moment had passed. Plainly they had not alarmed her; therefore to ask would be nonsensical. Either he must think of another remark, and that quickly, or he must retreat. If he kept on in his present course he would run straight into the easel and upset it; and while that would undoubtedly "break the ice," it might not prove the happiest sort of introduction! Weakly he swerved aside and proceeded on a course which would take him behind her. It would also take him to the brook, and he saw with misgiving that the ground on
 * cern and had opened his mouth to emit