The hansom turned through the Chelsea streets getting nearer and nearer to the studio. She wondered who was nursing him--there must be some one there.... The hansom stopped. She got out and knocked. The door was opened by a young woman who looked like a servant, but Mildred was not deceived by her appearance. 'One of his models come to nurse him,' she thought. 'I have heard,' she said, 'that Mr. Hoskin is ill.' 'Yes, he is very ill, I'm sorry to say.' 'I should like to see him. Will you inquire?' 'He's not well enough to see any one to-day. He has just dozed off. I couldn't awake him. But I'll give him any message.' 'Give him my card and say I would like to see him. Stay, I'll write a word upon it.' While Mildred wrote on the card the girl watched her--her face was full of suspicion; and when she read the name, an involuntary 'Oh' escaped from her, and Mildred knew that Ralph had spoken of her. 'Probably,' she thought, 'she has been his mistress. She wouldn't be here nursing, if she hadn't been.' 'I'll give him your card.' There was nothing for it but to lower her eyes and murmur 'thank you,' and before she reached the end of the street her discomfort had materially increased. She was humiliated and angry, humiliated that that girl should have seen through her so easily, angry that Ralph should have spoken about her to his mistress; for she was sure that the woman was, or had been, his mistress. She regretted having asked to see Ralph, but she had asked for an appointment, she could hardly get out of it now.... She would have to meet that woman again, but she wanted to see Ralph. 'Ralph, I suppose, told her the truth.' A moment's reflection convinced Mildred that that was probably the case, and reassured, she went to bed wondering when she would get a letter. She might get one in the morning. She was. not disappointed; the first letter she opened read as follows:-- MADAM,--Mr. Hoskin begs me to thank you for your kind inquiry. He is feeling a little stronger and will be glad to see you. His best time is in the afternoon about three o'clock. Could you make it convenient to call about that time? 'I think it right to warn you that it would be well not to speak of anything that would be likely to excite him, for the doctor says that all hope of his recovery depends on his being kept quiet.--I am, Madam, yours truly, 'ELLEN GIBBS.'