Then, presently—"Giles, I've been thinking—it is cool of me to talk of this as 'home.' As if I had a shadow of right!" "You have every right." "Not a particle. Now I am stronger, I don't mean to be dependent." "Nonsense!" came emphatically. And Mrs. Keith stood up. "Going to dress for dinner," she murmured; and Colin showed surprise, since the hour was early. He did not protest, but when she had disappeared, his glance went to Giles. "Nervous!" came in reply. "What about?" "I haven't a notion." Colin dropped the subject, and reverted to what he had been saying. "That's all very well, you know; but I happen to have a trifle of self-respect. Call it pride, if you like." "Between you and me pride is impossible." "The future Mrs. Randolph—" "Will feel as I feel, or she won't exist. What is mine is yours. And not a man in the Empire is less likely to marry." "Bosh! Anyhow, I mean to work." "You shall do what you can, without suffering for it. But for pleasure, not necessity." "It's a moral necessity that I should be independent." "And deprive me of the one thing—" A word of protest cut into the utterance. "Yes, I know! I promised not to say it again. No need; for you understand. I wish you also to understand that never while I live will Castle Hill cease to be your home." "So be it! Meanwhile, I intend to work." "At what?" "Modelling, of course. Will the mater be exercised?" His words dropped slowly. "I don't see why she should." "She hates to see me fingering clay. I never can conceive why. It is the one thing I can do." "Better for you, at any rate, than head-work." "My dear fellow! Do you suppose sculpture is not head-work?" "Better than books, I should have said. We must fit up a studio." Colin murmured a "Thanks." He added, "I've done a lot of modelling lately—in Paris first, of course." "Ah, that was what kept you so long." "I went through a regular course. This winter I've had a fine time in Italy, studying the great masters. Plaster casts want a lot of practice. I've not made much way with them yet." "Don't try for the present. Modelling in clay will give scope for your powers, and a practised moulder will do the casting better. For a wonder, I know just the man in Market Oakley—a young fellow with talent. I shall like to encourage him." "I dare say! But the cost—" "Will be my concern, till you can stand alone. When you are receiving hundreds for a bust, you shall pay for your own casting." "Ah—when!! But I mean to stand alone." "What are a few pounds between you and me?" "Well, perhaps for a time!" reluctantly. "I had no end of encouragement abroad. Some of my attempts won great praise."