'No. I did not mean that. I hope you will. But painting is very difficult. I've found it so. It seems hopeless.'
'You think I shall be a failure? You think that I'd better remain at home and marry than go to France and study?'
'It's impossible to say who will succeed. I only know it is very difficult—too difficult for me…. Women never have succeeded in painting.'
'Some have, to a certain extent.'
'But you're not angry, offended at my having spoken?'
'No; I hope we shall always be friends. You know that I like you very much.'
'Then why not, why not be engaged? It will give you time to consider, to find out if you could.'
'But, you see, I've broken off one engagement, so that I might be free to devote myself to painting.'
'But that man was not congenial to you. He was not an artist, he would have opposed your painting; you'd have had to give up painting if you had married him. But I'm quite different. I should help and encourage you in your art. All you know I have taught you. I could teach you a great deal more. Mildred—-'
'Do you think that you could?'