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186 subjects of art. My conduct here, I am sure, has been immaculate. You are the only person I wished to talk to, but I have avoided making you conspicuous, knowing what a hotbed of gossip the pension was."

Elizabeth was resolved to glide off on to the impersonal surface of this speech, and not to be induced to cut any figures of eight with this adroit skater—on very thin ice.

"You and I agree very well about art, Mr. George—much better than I do with Mr. Baring. I do not see nature as he does, and to me it seems that completion is not incompatible with breadth. He tries with infinite pains to produce the effect of sketchiness. I do not believe the greatest men of any time ever did that."

"As Ruskin said of a much greater man than Baring, 'He flings his paint-pot in the face of the public.' That sort of thing is all affectation."

"Mr. Baring is not affected," said Elizabeth, quickly. "He is entirely sincere in his views."

"I was speaking of the school, not of Mr. Baring. I have no wish to discuss him. I had rather speak about yourself. Will you treat me as a friend, and tell me how long you intend remaining in Paris?"

"All the winter."

"You will not move further south?"

"I have no idea of doing so at present."

"I may be called back to England in a day or two."

"Really? You have not been here more than three weeks!"

"My holiday was only for six, and I have a letter this morning which renders it probable that I may be wired for. But, if my leave is curtailed, I believe—that is to