They walked down the sandy pathway, and came unexpectedly upon Elsie and her lover sitting behind a rock. They asked where the others were. Elsie did not know. But at that moment voices were heard, and Cissy cried from the bottom of the glade: 'So there you are; we've been looking for you.' 'Looking for us indeed,' said Mildred. Now, Mildred, don't be prudish, this is Liberty Hall. You must lend us Mr. Mitchell, we want to dance.' 'What, here in the sand!' 'No, in the Salon.... Come along, Rose will play for us.' XV. Mildred was the first down. She wore a pretty _robe a fleurs,_ and her straw hat was trimmed with tremulous grasses and cornflowers. A faint sunshine floated in the wet garden. A moment after Elsie cried from the door-step: 'Well, you have got yourself up. We don't run to anything like that here. You're going out flirting. It's easy to see that.' 'My flirtations don't amount to much. Kisses don't thrill me as they do you. I'm afraid I've never been what you call "in love."' 'You seem on the way there, if I'm to judge by last night,' Elsie answered rather tartly. 'You know, Mildred, I don't believe all you say, not quite all.' A pained and perplexed expression came upon Mildred's face and she said: 'Perhaps I shall meet a man one of these days who will inspire passion in me.' 'I hope so. It would be a relief to all of us. I wouldn't mind subscribing to present that man with a testimonial.' Mildred laughed. 'I often wonder what will become of me. I've changed a good deal in the last two years. I've had a great deal of trouble.' 'I'm sorry you're so depressed. I know what it is. That wretched painting, we give ourselves to it heart and soul, and it deceives us as you deceive your lovers.' 'So it does. I had not thought of it like that. Yes, I've been deceived just as I have deceived others. But you, Elsie, you've not been deceived, you can do something. If I could do what you do. You had a picture in the Salon. Cissy had a picture in the Salon.' 'That doesn't mean much. What we do doesn't amount to much.' 'But do you think that I shall ever do as much?' Elsie did not think so, and the doubt caused her to hesitate. Mildred perceived the hesitation and said: 'Oh, there's no necessity for you to lie. I know the truth well enough. I have resolved to give up painting. I have given it up.' You've given up painting! Do you really mean it?' 'Yes, I feel that I must. When I got your letter I was nearly dead with weariness and disappointment--what a relief your letter was--what a relief to be here!' 'Well, you see something has happened. Barbizon has happened, Morton has happened.' 'I wonder if anything will come of it. He's a nice fellow. I like him.'