‘It’s quite true, and you needn’t laugh. And oh, Roma, do you know what he is going to give me for a birthday present?’ ‘No. What?’ ‘A horse; a horse for my very own. Such a little beauty! You know those at Ladywell are all his, and are very nice; but he never gave one to me, though I ride them just as I like. I never thought of wanting one; but the other day the loveliest, sweetest, most delicious little horse appeared in one of the empty loose boxes. I happened to see him, and asked Phil. First he wouldn’t tell me, and said I’d no business to play the spy; but I coaxed and coaxed, and at last he gave in. He said it was there on approval, and if its paces and temper and everything else were right, he was going to give him to me on my birthday. He said he had been looking out for a horse for me for a long time. He thought I must wonder why I had not had one before. As if I ever should!’ ‘What did you say?’ ‘Oh, I told him he was just a darling, and asked him why he didn’t give me the horse I generally ride, who is quite nice in every way.’ ‘What did he say?’ ‘Oh, he laughed, and looked amused, and said he didn’t mean to give away the Ladywell horses, not even to me. I didn’t quite see why, I said; and he told me I should know better some day. Anyway, he’s got me the loveliest little horse you can imagine—bay, with black points—and I love him ever so much already.’ Shortly after this Signor Pagliadini drew closer, and sat down near to sculptor and model, whilst he entered into conversation. Maud was ready enough to talk, and, though a good deal of interpretation had to go on for form’s sake, Phil felt that he was growing to know his sister better than she imagined. He was ready enough, and she eager enough, to talk of the ‘friend Filippo,’ and poured out so many stories of his prowess and generosity, that poor Phil was quite dismayed to find how he had been supplanted in Maud’s affection, and felt that she would not readily transfer her love to him. Maud liked the dark foreigner with his somewhat sad, appealing eyes. Some subtle sympathy seemed to draw them together; and, impossible as she knew it to be, she could not help fancying she had known him before, at some far-distant period. Some of the tones of his voice and the turns of expression made her fancy this; but rack her brains as she would, she could find nothing to account for the odd idea. It was out of the question that they ever could have met before. A servant came to say that Mr. Meredith was down, and would be obliged if Signor Pagliadini would join him in his study. Maud gave him her hand again, as he rose to obey the summons. ‘If you knew my brother once, I wish you would come up to Ladywell this afternoon, and have tea with us. He will be delighted, I am sure, to renew the acquaintance.’ ‘I shall be most happy to do so, if the Signorina is sure I shall not intrude.’ ‘Quite sure,’ answered Maud brightly. ‘_Au revoir_, then. Remember, you will be expected.’