e up the drive and emerged on to
the lawn. They did not see the others and appeared to be deep in
conversation. Stafford was talking vehemently and Claudia listening with
a look of amused mutiny on her face.

"He's sworn off, hasn't he?" asked Ayre.

"Yes."

"She doesn't care for him?"

"I don't think so; but a man can't tell."

"Nonsense!" said Ayre. "What's Eugene up to?"

"Oh, you know he's booked."

"Kate Bernard?"

"Yes."

"Tell you what, Morewood, I'll lay you--"

"No, you won't. Come and see the picture. It's the finest thing--in its
way--I ever did."

"Going to exhibit it?"

"I'm going to work up and exhibit another I've done of him, not this
one; at least, I'm afraid he won't stand this one."

"Gad! Have you painted him with horns and a tail?"

Whereto Morewood answered only:

"Come and see."

As they went in, they met Eugene, hands in pockets and pipe in mouth,
looking immensely bored.

"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" said he. "Excuse the mode of address, but
I've not seen a soul all the morning, and thought I must have dropped
down somewhere in Africa. It's monstrous! I ask about ten people to my
house, and I never have a soul to speak to!"

"Where's Miss Bernard?" asked Ayre.

"Kate is learning constitutional principles from Haddington in the
shrubbery. Lady Claudia is learning sacerdotal principles from Stafford
in the shrubbery. My mother is learning equine principles from Bob
Territon in the stables. You are learning immoral principles from
Morewood on the lawn. I don't complain, but is there anything a man can
do?"

"Yes, there's a picture to be seen--Morewood's latest."

"Good!"

"I don't know that I shall show it to Lane."

"Oh, get out!" said Eugene. "I shall summon the servants to my aid.
Who's it of?"

"Stafford," said Ayre.

"The Pope in full canonicals?"

"All right, Lane. But you're a friend of his, and you mayn't like it."

They entered the billiard-room, a long building that ran out from the
west wing of the house. In the extreme end of it Morewood had
extemporized a studio, attracted by the good light.

"Give me a good top-light," he had said, "and I wouldn't change places
with an arch-angel!"

"Your lights, top or otherwise, are not such," Eugene remarked, "as to
make it likely the berth will be offered you."

"This picture is, I understand, Eugene, a stunner. Give us chairs and
some brandy and soda and trot it out," said Ayre.

Morewood was unmoved