There was an accent in his voice which impressed Enid painfully. She clasped her hands rather tightly together in her lap, and said, after another pause, in a lower tone-- "I dare say I should grow fond of it if I lived there." "As you will do, in time," said Hubert, with a smile. "You must try to believe that you will soon be as absorbed in town-life as every other woman; that concerts and theatres and balls will make up for green fields and the songs of birds; that men are more interesting than brooks and flowers; that to shop and to gossip are livelier occupations than visiting the poor and teaching little Dick. Don't you think you can imagine it?" She shook her head. "I can't imagine it; but, if I had to do it, I would try. I don't think your picture is very attractive, if I may say so, Hubert." "Don't you, dear? Why not?" "It sounds so unreal. Do women pass their lives in that frivolous, vapid way?" "Not all of them, of course. There are women who have work to do," said Hubert, looking idly into the distance, as if he were thinking of some one or something that he could not see. "Oh, yes, I know--working women--professional women--women," said Enid, with an innocent smile, "like Cynthia West." Hubert gave a slight start; then, to cover it, he changed his position, bringing his arms down and crossing them on his breast. "You might tell me what she is like," continued Enid, with more playfulness of manner than she generally showed. "You tell me so little about London people! Is she handsome?" "Yes, very." "Dark or fair?" "Very dark." "Is she an Englishwoman?" pursued Enid. "I am sure I don't know. I never asked." "You know her then?" "What makes you ask all these questions?" said Hubert, as if he had not heard the last. "Who has put Miss West into your head in this way?" He looked annoyed. Enid at once put out a caressing hand. "I did not mean to be too inquisitive, Hubert dear. But the Tollemaches are very musical, and they were talking a great deal about her. They said they saw you at the concert when she came out--some Italian teacher's semi-private concert--and they seemed to think that you knew the whole set of people who were there." Mentally Hubert made some uncharitable remarks on the future destiny of the Tollemaches; but he controlled himself so far as to answer coolly-- "I know several of that set, certainly. I know Miss West a little." "How delightful," cried Enid. "I should like to meet some of these great artists. Will you ever be able to introduce me to her, do you think, Hubert?" "I think not," said Hubert, knitting his brows. He did not find himself able to turn the subject quite as easily as he could have wished. "Oh, isn't she nice?" hazarded Enid doubtfully. "I always fancy that the people who sing and act in public can't be quite as nice as the people who stay in their own home-circle. I know that you will think me very narrow-minded to say so, but I can't help it."