"There can be no doubt of that," she replied. "But you mistake in thinking that I have any influence with him. If I had, I would use it as you desire."
"I am afraid," he observed, "that you underrate your influence. I think you have more than you suppose."
"No," she said. "I have always been accustomed to influencing those around me, and therefore I know very well when I fail to do so. I fail with Mr. Earle. He has no respect for my opinion, as indeed"--with unwonted humility--"why should he have?"
The man of the world uttered a contemptuous laugh. "Do you really, with all your cleverness, know so little of men as to fancy that respect for a woman's opinion is a necessary part of her influence?" he asked.
"With most men I suppose it is not," she answered; "but with Mr. Earle it is. I am sure of that, and also sure that I should not care to influence a man who had no respect for my opinion."
"_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."