And, this determined, she thought with increased bitterness of Mallard’s remaining in Rome.  He too could not but suspect the course that Cecily’s married life was taking; by this time he might even know with certainty.  How would that affect him?  In her doubt as to how far the exchange of confidences between Cecily and Mallard was a possible thing, she tortured herself with picturing the progress of their intercourse at Rome, inventing chance encounters, imagining conversations.  Mrs. Lessingham was as good as no obstacle to their intimacy; her, Miriam distrusted profoundly.  Judging by her own impulses, she attributed to Cecily a strong desire for Mallard’s sustaining companionship; and on the artist’s side, she judged all but inevitable, under such circumstances, a revival of that passion she had read in his face long ago.  Her ingenuity of self-torment went so far as to interpret Mallard’s behaviour to herself in a dishonourable sense.  It is doubtful whether any one who loves passionately fulfils the ideal of being unable to see the object of love in any but a noble light; this is one of the many conventions, chiefly of literary origin, which to the eyes of the general make cynicism of wholesome truth.  Miriam deemed it not impossible that Mallard had made her his present of pictures simply to mislead her thought when she was gone.  Jealousy can sink to baser imaginings than this.  It is only calm affection that judges always in the spirit of pure sympathy.

On the following day, the Spences dined from home, and Miriam, who had excused herself from accompanying them, sat through the evening in their drawing-room.  The weather was wretched; a large fire made the comfort within contrast pleasantly enough with sounds of wind and rain against the house.  Miriam’s mind was far away from Chelsea; it haunted the Via del Babuino, and the familiar rooms of the hotel where Cecily was living.  Just after the clock had struck ten, a servant entered and said that Mr. Elgar wished to see her.

Reuben was in evening dress.

“What! you are alone?” he said on entering.  “I’m glad of that.  I supposed I should have to meet the people.  I want to kill half an hour, that’s all.”

He drew a small low chair near to hers, and, when he had seated himself, took one of her hands.  Miriam glanced at him with surprise, but did not resist him.  His cheeks were flushed, perhaps from the cold wind, and there was much more life in his eyes than the other morning.

“You’re a lonely girl, Miriam,” he let fall idly, after musing.  “I’m glad I happened to come in, to keep you company.  What have you been thinking about?”

“Italy,” she answered, with careless truth.

“Italy, Italy!  Who doesn’t think of Italy?  I wish I knew Italy as well as you do.  Isn’t it odd that I should be saying that to you?  I believe you are now far my superior in all knowledge that is worth having.  Did I mention that Ciss wrote an account of you in the letter just after she had reached Rome?”