Page:The Tragic Muse (London & New York, Macmillan & Co., 1890), Volume 2.djvu/209

Rh "You mean you have been keeping it from her because she wouldn't like it?"

"We're afraid she may think that papa wouldn't have liked it."

This was said with an absence of humour which for an instant moved Sherringham to mirth; but he quickly recovered himself, repenting of any apparent failure of respect to the high memory of his late celebrated relative. He rejoined quickly, but rather vaguely: "Ah, yes, I remember that great man's ideas;" and then he went on: "May.I ask if you know it, the fact that we are talking of, through Julia or through Nick?"

"I know it from both of them."

"Then, if you're in their confidence, may I further ask whether this undertaking of Nick's is the reason why things seem to be at an end between them?"

"Oh, I don't think she likes it," returned Biddy.

"Isn't it good?"

"Oh, I don't mean the picture—she hasn't seen it; but his having done it."

"Does she dislike it so much that that's why she won't marry him?"

Biddy gave up her work, moving away from it to look at it. She came and sat down on the long bench on which Sherringham had placed himself. Then she broke out: "Oh, Peter, it's a great trouble—it's a very great trouble; and 1 can't tell you, for I don't understand it."

"If I ask you, it's not to pry into what doesn't concern me; but Julia is my sister, and I can't, after all, help taking some