"That opinion is not worthy of your good sense," said Mr. Singleton. "It does not matter at all how one influences people, so that one actually does manage to influence them. The important point is to succeed."
"Have you found it an easy thing to succeed with Mr. Earle?" asked Marion, a little maliciously.
"Very far from it," replied Mr. Singleton. "There is only one way to influence him, and that is through his affections. For one to whom he is attached, he will do much."
The last words were so significant that Marion colored and said no more. But she determined that she would test whether or not they were true, since she had by this time little doubt of Earle's sentiments toward her.
She had not long to wait for an opportunity. The next morning Earle asked if she would not go with him to complete a sketch that he was making of a bit of woodland scenery near the house. "A morning's work will finish it," he said. "And since I shall not have many more mornings, if you care to come, I shall be very glad."
"You know I always like to come," she answered. "It is interesting to me to watch your work. I feel as if I were witnessing the process of creation."
"You are witnessing a process of creation," he said. "Art is a ray of the divine genius which created nature, and, in its degree, it is creative also. That is the secret of its great fascination."
"It certainly seems to possess a great fascination for you," she said, as he slung his color-box over his shoulder and they set forth.
"Do you wonder at it?" he asked, with a quick glance.
"No; I do not wonder at the fascination," she replied. "I only wonder that you think it right to sacrifice everything else to it."