only
seen her once or twice; but I noticed her, and she struck me as a
type--of something."

The pale skin and red mouth rather pleased me, and it was arranged that
Carrington should see Mr. Jones, and, if possible, make an appointment
for Miss Jones to call on Monday afternoon at my studio.

Carrington had rooms next door, in the little court of artists' quarters
in Chelsea.

Carrington wrote reviews and collected all sorts of expensive things,
chiefly old books and Chinese porcelain. He and I had art-for-art
sympathies, and, being lucky young men from a monetary point of view, we
could indulge our propensities with a happy indifference to success.

I had painted now for a good many years, both in Paris and in London,
and had a pleasant little reputation among people it was worth while to
please, and a hearty and encouraging philistine opposition. I had even
shocked Mrs. Grundy in an Academy picture which wasn't at all shocking
and was very well painted, and I had aroused controversy in the pages of
the _Saturday Review_.

I felt Manon Lescaut.

This epitome of the soullessness of the eighteenth century whirled in
its satin frivolity through all my waking thoughts.

On Monday I awaited Miss Jones, fervently hoping that her face would do.

Punctual to the minute came the young lady's rap at my door. I ushered
her in. She was rather small; and self-possessed, very. In the cut of
her serge frock and the line of her little hat over her eyebrows I
fancied I saw a touch of the mother's nationality. With a most
business-like air she removed this hat, carefully replacing the pins in
the holes they had already traversed, took off her coat (it was
February), and turned to the light. She would do. Evident and delightful
fact! I at once informed her of it. She asked if she should sit that
morning. I said that, as I had sketches to make before deciding on pose
and effect of light, the sooner she would enter upon her professional
duties the better.

The gown I had already discovered--a _trouvaille_ and genuinely of the
epoch; an enticing pink silk with glowing shadows.

Miss Jones made no comment on the exquisite thing which I laid lovingly
on her arm. She retired with a brisk, calm step behind the tall screen
in the corner.

When she reappeared in the dress, the old whites of the muslins at
elbows and breast falling and folding on a skin like milk, I felt my
heart rise in a devout ejaculation of utter contentment. Th