he would have become eminent; myself, I am convinced of it—­perhaps that is only natural.  But when our circumstances began to grow very doubtful, and we really didn’t know what was before us, my son consented to follow a business career—­that of wine merchant, with which his father was connected.  And he exerted himself so nobly, and gave proof of such ability, that very soon all our fears were at an end; and now, before he is thirty, his position is quite assured.  We have no longer a care.  I live here very economically—­really sweet lodgings on the road to St. Martin’s; I do hope you will come and see me.  And the girls go backwards and forwards.  You see we are all here at present.  When my son returns to London he will take the eldest and the youngest with him.  The middle girl, dear Grace—­ she is thought very clever in water-colours, and I am quite sure, if it were necessary, she could pursue the arts in a professional spirit.’

Mr. Bevis entered the room, and Monica recognized the sprightly young man whom she had seen on the quay.  The hostess presented him to her new friends, and he got into talk with Widdowson.  Requested to make music for the company, he sang a gay little piece, which, to Monica at all events, seemed one of the most delightful things she had ever heard.

‘His own composition,’ whispered Miss Grace Bevis, then sitting by Mrs. Widdowson.

That increased her delight.  Foolish as Mrs. Bevis undoubtedly was, she perchance had not praised her son beyond his merits.  He looked the best of good fellows; so kind and merry and spirited; such a capable man, too.  It struck Monica as a very hard fate that he should have this family on his hands.  What they must cost him!  Probably he could not think of marrying, just on their account.

Mr. Bevis came and took a place by her side.

‘Thank you so very much,’ she said, ’for that charming song.  Is it published?’

‘Oh dear, no!’ He laughed and shook his thick hair about.  ’It’s one of two or three that I somehow struck out when I was studying in Germany, ages ago.  You play, I hope?’

Monica gave a sad negative.

’Oh, what does it matter?  There are hosts of people who will always be overjoyed to play when you ask them.  It would be a capital thing if only those children were allowed to learn an instrument who showed genuine talent for music.’

‘In that case,’ said Monica, ’there certainly wouldn’t be hosts of people ready to play for me.’

‘No.’  His merry laugh was repeated.  ’You mustn’t mind when I contradict myself; it’s one of my habits.  Are you here for the whole winter?’

‘Only a few weeks, unfortunately.’

‘And do you dread the voyage back?’

‘To tell the truth, I do.  I had a very unpleasant time coming.’

’As for myself, how I ever undertake the thing I really don’t know.  One of these times I shall die; there’s not a shadow of doubt of that.  The girls always have to carry me ashore, one holding me by the hair and one by the boots.  Happily, I am so emancipated that my weight doesn’t distress them.  I pick up flesh in a day or two, and then my health is stupendous—­as at present.  You see how marvellously fit I look.’