Johnny did
not wish to answer this question, but Miss Demolines paused so long,
and looked so earnestly into his face, that he found himself forced
to say something.

"What picture?"

"A certain picture that is--, or, perhaps, that is not to be, painted
by Mr. Dalrymple?"

"I hear so much about Dalrymple's pictures! You don't mean the
portrait of Lady Glencora Palliser? That is nearly finished, and will
be in the Exhibition this year."

"I don't mean that at all. I mean a picture that has not yet been
begun."

"A portrait, I suppose?"

"As to that I cannot quite say. It is at any rate to be a likeness. I
am sure you have heard of it. Come, Mr. Eames, it would be better that
we should be candid with each other. You remember Miss Van Siever, of
course?"

"I remember that she dined at the Broughtons."

"And you have heard of Jael, I suppose, and Sisera?"

"Yes; in a general way,--in the Bible."

"And now will you tell me whether you have not heard the names of
Jael and Miss Van Siever coupled together? I see you know all about
it."

"I have heard of it, certainly."

"Of course you have. So have I, as you perceive. Now, Mr. Eames,"--and
Miss Demolines' voice became tremulously eager as she addressed
him,--"it is your duty, and it is my duty, to take care that that
picture shall never be painted."

"But why should it not be painted?"

"You don't know Miss Van Siever, yet."

"Not in the least."

"Nor Mrs. Van Siever."

"I never spoke a word to her."

"I do. I know them both,--well." There was something almost grandly
tragic in Miss Demolines' voice as she thus spoke. "Yes, Mr. Eames, I
know them well. If that scheme be continued, it will work terrible
mischief. You and I must prevent it."

"But I don't see what harm it will do."

"Think of Conway Dalrymple passing so many hours in Maria's
sitting-room upstairs! The picture is to be painted there, you know."

"But Miss Van Siever will be present. Won't that make it all right?
What is there wrong about Miss Van Siever?"

"I won't deny that Clara Van Siever has a certain beauty of her own.
To me she is certainly the most unattractive woman that I ever came
near. She is simply repulsive!" Hereupon Miss Demolines held up her
hand as though she were banishing Miss Van Siever for ever from her
sight, and shuddered slightly. "Men think her handsome, and she is
handsome. But she is false, covetous, malicious, cruel, and
dishonest."

"What a fiend in