Perhaps she is a little ashamed of the intimacy.' 'And if your design is considered best by the committee, he will have no further reason for staying, assuming that they are not definitely engaged to marry by that time ?' 'I suppose so,' murmured Havill discontentedly.

'The conditions, as sent to me, state that the designs are to be adjudicated on by three members of the Institute called in for the purpose; so that she may return, and have seemed to show no favour.' 'Then it amounts to this: your design MUST be best.

It must combine the excellences of your invention with the excellences of his.

Meanwhile a coolness should be made to arise between her and him: and as there would be no artistic reason for his presence here after the verdict is pronounced, he would perforce hie back to town.

Do you see ?' 'I see the ingenuity of the plan, but I also see two insurmountable obstacles to it.