I feel humble and ignorant in the presence of so distinguished a European artist." They were laughing together now without a trace of constraint; and she was aware that his interest in her was unfeigned and unmistakably the interest of a man for a woman, that he was looking at her as other men had now begun to look at her, speaking as other men spoke, frankly interested in her as a woman, finding her agreeable to look at and talk to.
In the unawakened depths of her a conviction grew that her old playmate must be classed with other men--man in the abstract--that indefinite and interesting term, hinting of pleasures to come and possibilities unimagined.
"Did you paint pictures all the time you were abroad ?" she asked.
"Not every minute.

I travelled a lot, went about, was asked to shoot in England and Austria....

I had a good time." "Didn't you work hard ?" "No.

Isn't it disgraceful!" "But you exhibited in three salons.

What were your pictures ?" "I did a portrait of Lady Bylow and her ten children." "Was it a success ?" He coloured.