n artist's eye, saw this at once, and immediately confessed to
himself that there was something great about her. He could not deny
her beauty. But there was ever present to him that look of hardness
which had struck him when he first saw her. He could not but fancy
that though at times she might be playful, and allow the fur of
her coat to be stroked with good-humour,--she would be a dangerous
plaything, using her claws unpleasantly when the good-humour should
have passed away. But not the less was she beautiful, and,--beyond
that and better than that, for his purpose,--she was picturesque.

"Clara," said Mrs. Broughton, "here is this mad painter, and he says
that he will have you on his canvas, either with your will or without
it."

"Even if he could do that, I am sure he would not," said Miss Van
Siever.

"To prove to you that I can, I think I need only show you the
sketch," said Dalrymple, taking the drawing out of his pocket. "As
regards the face, I know it so well by heart already, that I feel
certain I could produce a likeness without even a sitting. What do
you think of it, Mrs. Broughton?"

[Illustration: "What do you think of it, Mrs. Broughton?"]

"It is clever," said she, looking at it with all that enthusiasm
which women are able to throw into their eyes on such occasions;
"very clever. The subject would just suit her. I have never doubted
that."

"Eames says that it is confused," said the artist.

"I don't see that at all," said Mrs. Broughton.

"Of course a sketch must be rough. This one has been rubbed about and
altered,--but I think there is something in it."

"An immense deal," said Mrs. Broughton. "Don't you think so, Clara?"

"I am not a judge."

"But you can see the woman's fixed purpose; and her stealthiness as
well;--and the man sleeps like a log. What is that dim outline?"

"Nothing in particular," said Dalrymple. But the dim outline was
intended to represent Mrs. Van Siever.

"It is very good,--unquestionably good," said Mrs. Dobbs Broughton. "I
do not for a moment doubt that you would make a great picture of it.
It is just the subject for you, Conway; so much imagination, and yet
such a scope for portraiture. It would be full of action, and yet
such perfect repose. And the lights and shadows would be exactly in
your line. I can see at a glance how you would manage the light in
the tent, and bring it down just on the nail. And then the pose of
the woman would be so good, so much