He crossed Albert Bridge; he stepped down into the Park; he drew near to the young lady in grey trimmed with black, who was at work upon a drawing.

Not until he spoke did she seem aware of his arrival; then with her brightest smile of welcome, she held out a pretty hand, and in her melodious voice thanked him for so kindly taking the trouble to come.
"Don't look at this," she added.

"It's too difficult--I can't get it right--" What his glance discovered on the block did not strengthen Will's confidence in Rosamund's claim to be a serious artist.

He had always taken for granted that her work was amateurish, and that she had little chance of living by it.

On the whole, he felt glad to be confirmed in this view; Rosamund as an incompetent was more interesting to him than if she had given proof of great ability.
"I mustn't be too ambitious," she was saying.