nterest. 'I had no idea
that you were such an old friend. You could do it, I suppose?'

'Really, I am afraid--hah-hah--may not have the opportunity of obliging
you. I met her at Wyndway, you know, where she was visiting with Lady
Petherwin. It was some time ago, and I cannot say that I have ever met
her since.'

'Or before?' said Neigh.

'Well--no; I never did.'

'Ladywell, if I had half your power of going to your imagination for
facts, I would be the greatest painter in England.'

'Now Neigh--that's too bad--but with regard to this matter, I do speak
with some interest,' said Ladywell, with a pleased sense of himself.

'In love with her?--Smitten down?--Done for?'

'Now, now! However, several other fellows chaff me about her. It was
only yesterday that Jones said--'

'Do you know why she cares to do this sort of thing?'

'Merely a desire for fame, I suppose.'

'I should think she has fame enough already.'

'That I can express no opinion upon. I am thinking of getting her
permission to use her face in a subject I am preparing. It is a fine
face for canvas. Glorious contour--glorious. Ah, here she is again, for
the second part.'

'Dream on, young fellow. You'll make a rare couple!' said Neigh, with a
flavour of superciliousness unheeded by his occupied companion.

Further back in the room were a pair of faces whose keen interest in the
performance contrasted much with the languidly permissive air of those in
front. When the ten minutes' break occurred, Christopher was the first
of the two to speak. 'Well, what do you think of her, Faith?' he said,
shifting restlessly on his seat.

'I like the quiet parts of the tale best, I think,' replied the sister;
'but, of course, I am not a good judge of these things. How still the
people are at times! I continually take my eyes from her to look at the
listeners. Did you notice the fat old lady in the second row, with her
cloak a little thrown back? She was absolutely unconscious, and stayed
with her face up and lips parted like a little child of six.'

'She well may! the thing is a triumph. That fellow Ladywell is here, I
believe--yes, it is he, busily talking to the man on his right. If I
were a woman I would rather go donkey-driving than stick myself up there,
for gaping fops to quiz and say what they like about! But she had no
choice, poor thing; for it was that or nothing with her.'

Faith, who had secret doubts about the absolute necessi