it there is time for many thoughts; and many thoughts will come unbidden; and too late we find that they are not the thoughts which we intended to think. Moreover no man nor woman can think of things only. To the hermit in the desert visions of people known in other days will come, sometimes with dangerous distinctness and disastrous effect. Far more readily will thoughts of persons come to a young man of fervid temperament, let him strive as he may to concentrate his attention on inanimate canvas. So again if his

eyes be made by nature and education observant, he cannot but note the passers in the street. Now if there be to him one woman pre-eminent who has influenced his character, every person whose image comes into his mind or who passes before his eyes, suggests that one woman either by likeness or contrast. It is certain that something had influenced the character of Philip Lamond. There was a change in him, as Stephen could see. He was far more steady in work; he talked much less, and very little about himself. He sought no more safetyvalves for tempestuous feeling in violent movements and outcries, in striding and storming. And Mr Aylward observing this calmness in the wild

friend of his youth concluded that his feelings were no more tempestuous, that here was the beginning of temperate dull successful manhood; and thereupon he said with a sigh that of course it was all right and a very good thing.

224

CHAPTER XIX.

Painter. "It is a pretty mocking of the life.
Here is a touch: is't good?"

"I DO wish you would get over this trick of appearing like a jack-in-the-box or the hero of a melodrama. A clap of thunder: enter Philip Lamond. It's very distressing." So spake Stephen Aylward looking up at his friend, who had entered his room and seized him not too gently by both shoulders.

"You knew I was coming," said Philip: "you have been longing for my presence: Cairo was insupportable without you, or rather it was too hot my picture was finished, or rather I could do no more to it; so I have come to show it to the master. I have come to show my picture to Mr Andrew Fernlyn, and moreover - but no

matter."

"Moreover what? Oh, but I don't want your

confidence." Stephen was a little ruffled by the sudden arrival of his friend.

Philip seated himself on the edge of the table and after regarding Mr Aylward for some minutes with quiet attention said almost coldly, "Moreover I have come to look at her."

This speech jarred and irritated the other young man, and he cried sharply, "Good Heavens, Philip! how can you be so foolish? I did think," he continued more plaintively, "that all that was over. Of course it's no business of mine, but isn't it a pity to go and galvanise your feelings when you are all right again and have forgotten her?"

"Forgotten her!" repeated Lamond after a pause, and he smiled as he spoke. "And so you think that I have forgotten her. You are a remarkably cool sensible young person, confound you! but after all you are a man. I must see her; and you must help me."

"No. It would be bad for you and unfair to her. I would rather quarrel with you, and have done with it."

"You don't understand me. I don't wish her to see me. I would not run the risk of paining her for all the East. But I must see her; I must see

P

for myself that she is happy and well without me.

Then I shall go away content."

"But I can tell you

Nobody can tell me; I must see for myself; forgive me old boy; I don't mean that I can't trust you; but I must see her."

Upon this Stephen Aylward shrugged his shoulders and abandoned the discussion. "Very well," he said; "to-morrow morning we will take the picture to old Andrew, and then what you will.”

"Then I will wash off the dust of travel," said Philip; "and you will send out for supper; and we will sup together here again; there is nothing like Venice on a summer night."

Mr Ayl

To this speech he received no answer. ward was moodily considering how hard it was to foretell his friend's actions; how impulsive and irrational he was; how comical it was that he Stephen should have a comrade so irritating and disturbing. However he roused himself and sent for supper.

The next morning Philip was up betimes, singing, helping the preparations for breakfast, unpacking and criticising his picture, rebuking Stephen for his laziness. At last when breakfast was over and the day far enough advanced, the two friends