She would spend her days in the Campden Hill studio, and sup on a tray--anywhere.

On these terms, they grudgingly allowed her to occupy her own house.
The studio in which she worked was on the top of Campden Hill, and opened into one of the pleasant gardens of that neighbourhood.

Her uncle, Charles Bentley, an elderly Academician, with an ugly, humorous face, red hair, red eyebrows, a black skull-cap, and a general weakness for the female sex, was very fond of his niece Doris, and inclined to think her a neglected and underrated wife.

He was too fond of his own comfort, however, to let Meadows perceive this opinion of his; still less did he dare express it to Doris.

All he could do was to befriend her and make her welcome at the studio, to advise her about her illustrations, and correct her drawing when it needed it.