duponthegravel.Afurrybeecameandbuzzedrounditforamoment.Theoscrambleallovertheovalstellatedglobeofthetinyblossoms.Hewatcheditwiththatstraerestintrivialthingsthatwetrytodevelopwhenthingsofhighimportmakeusafraid,orwhenwearestirredbysomeionforwhichweotfindexpression,orwhehoughtthatterrifiesuslayssuddeothebrainandcallsonustoyield.Afteratimethebeeflewaway.HesawitcreepingintothestairumpetofaTyrianvolvulus.Theflowerseemedtoquiver,andthenswayedgentlytoandfro.

    Suddenlythepainterappearedatthedoorofthestudioandmadestaccatosignsforthemtoeiuroeachotherandsmiled.

    "Iamwaiting,"hecried."Doein.Thelightisquiteperfedyoubringyourdrinks."

    Theyroseupandsauntereddownthewalktogether.Twogreen-and-whitebutterfliesflutteredpastthem,andinthepear-treeattheerofthegardenathrushbegantosing.

    "Yladyouhavemetme,Mr.Gray,"saidLordHenry,lookingathim.

    "Yes,Iamgladnow.IwondershallIalwaysbeglad?"

    "Always!Thatisadreadfulword.Itmakesmeshudderwhe.Womenaresofondofusingit.Theyspoileveryromaryingtomakeitlastforever.Itisameaninglessword,too.Theonlydiffereridalifelongpassionisthatthecapricelastsalittlelonger."

    AstheyehestudirayputhishanduponLordHenrysarm."Inthatcase,letourfriendshipbeacaprice,"hemurmured,flushingathisownboldhensteppedupoformandresumedhispose.

    LordHenryflunghimselfintewickerarm-chairandwatchedhim.Thesweepanddashofthebrushonthevasmadetheonlysoundthatbrokethestillness,exceptwhen,nowandthen,Hallwar