'What we had called, in our stupidity, dulness, now became only seriousness. He took his Art seriously. But then he began to write verses, and then I found that there was a new mind--not a part of the old mind, but a new mind altogether. It was a mind with a light vein of fancy and merriment: it was affectionate, sympathetic, and happy: and it seemed distinctly a feminine mind. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to fit that mind to my cousin Alec--it was like dressing him up in an ill-fitting woman's riding-habit. And then he began those stories of his--and, behold, another mind altogether!--this time a worldly mind--cynical, sarcastic, distrustful, epigrammatic, and heartless--not at all a pleasant mind. So that you see I had four different minds all going about in the same set of bones--the original Alec Feilding, handsome and commonplace, but a man of honour: the serious student of Art: the light and gay-hearted poet, sparkling in his verses like a glass of champagne: and the cynical man of the world, who does not believe that there are any men of honour or any good women. Why, how can one man be at the same time four men? It is impossible. And now we have a fifth development of Alec. He has become--at the same time--a creature who marries a wife secretly--no one knows why: and hides her away for three years and then suddenly produces her--no one knows why. What does he hide her away for? Why does she consent to be hidden away? Then, the very day before he has got to produce his wife for all the world to see--I am perfectly certain that she herself forced him to take that step--he makes love to a young lady, and formally asks her to marry him. Reconcile, if you can, all these contradictions.' 'They cannot possibly be reconciled.' 'We have heard of seven devils entering into one man; but never of angels and devils mixed, my dear. Such a man cannot be explained, any more than the Lady Melusina herself.' 'Do not let us try. As for me, I am going to forget the existence of Mr. Alec Feilding if I can. In order to do this the quicker I mean to go home and stay there. Come and see me on the island of Samson, Philippa. But you must not bring your father, or he may be disappointed at the loss of his ancestral hall. To you I shall not mind showing the little house where your ancestors lived.' 'I should like very much--above all things--to see the place.' 'I will bribe you to come. I have got a great silver punch-bowl--old silver, such as you love--for you. You shall have a choice of rings, a choice of snuff-boxes. There is a roll of lace put away in the cupboard that would make you a lovely dress. It will be like the receiving of presents which we read of in the old books.' 'I will try to come, Armorel, after the season.' Armorel laughed.