"It amounts to interference. I can't cheat you, and I don't fool myself into thinking my talk about Craig's work is impersonal. Neither is what I say about Julie impersonal. Of course you've heard that she jilted me for Van Ostade? Eh? I thought so. Don't think you must say you're sorry," he protested hastily, as her lips parted. "I'm not sorry. I'm thankful for my escape. That sounds bitter to you. Perhaps I am bitter, but the bitterness is for myself, not her; and it doesn't sway my judgment of her influence upon Craig by a hair's breadth. He thinks it does, naturally, and he discounts my warnings. But I know, and you _will_ know, if you don't see it yet, that he must shake her off. Otherwise he's damned." Jean kindled from his fiery earnestness. "What must I do?" she asked. "Do you think the new studio is a mistake?" "No; I don't say it is. Craig had to come uptown. I'm not maintaining, either, that he can't paint under such conditions. Some men they stimulate. It isn't the studio; it's the commercial campaign it stands for which makes my gorge rise. Mind you, I don't censure Craig for not grasping Miss Hepworth in character. His youth is responsible for that fluke. But if he listens to Julie, he'll soon be painting everybody at their best moments. He'll take orders like a factory--yes; and execute then? like a factory--shallow, slap-dash, characterless vanities all of a mould, which fools will buy and the future ignore. There is no lost soul so tortured as the fashionable portrait-painter who has once known honest work. You must save Craig from such a fate. Don't think he is too strong to succumb. I've seen men with as much promise as his go under. Help him keep his feeling fresh. See that he has time to linger over and search out each subject. Make him paint even the mediocrities as they are." "How shall I begin?" "Throw Julie overboard," answered MacGregor, instantly. "I did not come here to mince words. I want to bring this home to you before I leave the country. I sail for Africa day after to-morrow." "For Africa!" "Yes. This is good-by. A magazine has made me an offer I can't afford to refuse." She was oppressed by a great loneliness. "Then I must fight it out single-handed," she said. "You would fight single-handed if I were here, I'm afraid. Nobody can help you much. The most I can do is to try to convince you that you must fight. You must show Julie her place, and show her soon. Don't be soft-hearted about it. She's not soft, trust my word. You are dealing with an enemy--understand it clearly. She is an enemy and a clever one. Julie could not prevent your marriage, but she may break it." She paled at the conviction of his tone. "I can't believe it!" "Can't you? I tell you the process of alienation has begun. Doesn't Craig think you indifferent about the studio?" "Perhaps. I had reasons--" "Chuck them away." "And he knows I've been busy with Richter. Craig himself is lukewarm about the studio."