I saw that words were of no avail. Like Ulysses, he was living in the paradise of Aeaea, heedless of everything under the spell she had cast about him. One night, not long after I had expressed my sentiments to him regarding his infatuation, I entered his studio, and found his goddess seated by the fire, with her shapely feet upon the fender, sipping kummel from a tiny glass, and holding a lighted cigarette between her dainty fingers. Dick flung down his palette, and came forward to introduce me. Her dark eyes met mine, and we tacitly agreed not to recognise each other, therefore we bowed as perfect strangers. As I seated myself, and she poured me out a liqueur, I caught her glancing furtively at me under her long lashes. She had grown even handsomer than when last I had seen her, and was the picture of the romantic _Bohemienne_. Her dress was of black gauze, through which the milky whiteness of her figure seemed to shine. Yet, as she turned her beautiful face towards me, I was struck by the complete effect of physical and moral frailty that she presented. She expressed pleasure at meeting me, remarking that she had read my last novel, and had been keenly interested in it. When I had briefly acknowledged the compliment she paid me, she said-- "One thing always strikes me in reading your stories. Your women are inevitably false and fickle. Perhaps, however, you write from personal experience of the failings of my sex," she laughed. Glancing sharply at her, I saw that her eyes did not waver. "It is true I once knew a woman who proved false and infamous," I replied, with some emphasis. "And you avenge yourself by reviling all of us. It is really too bad!" she said, pouting like a spoiled child. "By Jove, old fellow," Dick chimed in, "do tell us about your romance! It would be interesting to know the reason you set your face against all the fair ones." But I succeeded in turning the conversation into another channel. I saw I had intruded upon them, so, making an excuse, I bade them _au revoir_, and returned to my own book-lined den.