"I should like to." Gilbert looked greatly pleased. He had heard of the artist's disappointment at not being able to finish his picture in time for exhibition at the Royal Academy that year, and longed to question him about it. "Your little girl told us about the beautiful picture you have been painting," he proceeded hesitatingly. "Did you—did you bring it with you?" "Yes," Mr. Willis answered. His face saddened for a moment, then brightened again. "Yes," he repeated more briskly, "I brought it with me—we have no home in London now—and one day I hope to finish it. So Angel told you about it, did she? What did she say? But, there, I won't ask, for I know my little maid has an exalted idea of her father's abilities. Poor child, she has always kept her faith in me. Would you like to see my picture?" "Oh, indeed I should!" Gilbert cried, a flush of delight rising to his sallow face at the thought. "Then, you shall; but not to-day. I don't think I shall feel up to much this afternoon. How about to-morrow?" "I could come then—any time." "In the afternoon? We shall all be glad to see you." "Thank you, so much. I will be at Haresdown House about three o'clock. Are you going to walk home?" Gilbert inquired, for his companion looked pale and tired, he thought. "Oh no! I am going to wait here until my uncle joins me. He has set up a pony-carriage, you know, and will arrive from the town to drive me home. I can't face that hill yet." "I should think not." "But I hope to do so very soon. What a pretty place Wreyford is! This bridge is very old, I imagine?" "Yes; it is one of the old county bridges. Have you seen the church?" "Only from the distance; I have not been there yet—perhaps I may next Sunday. It is a grand old building, my uncle tells me, and my little girl is simply charmed with the view from the churchyard." "It is beautiful!" the boy cried. "You can see for miles and miles around from Haresdown Hill—the church is right at the top, you know. And the town looks so pretty in the valley, and the river—" He broke off abruptly, as though rather ashamed of his enthusiasm; and then added briefly, "But you'll see for yourself." The artist nodded. He had taken a large size notebook from the side pocket of his overcoat, and was glancing through the pages of it. "I am going to show you a sketch I made a few days ago," he said, smiling. "I wonder if you will be able to recognize the original!" And he handed the book open to Gilbert. "Oh, I say, how awfully clever of you!" the boy exclaimed. "Oh, what a capital likeness!" With a few strokes of his pencil Mr. Willis had succeeded in depicting Miss Goodwin's little figure in her old fashioned cloak and poke bonnet, with her waterproof over her arm.