fun, little girl. You don't really suppose I want my own
daughter trotting behind my tail, and keeping her watchful, charming eye
on all my doings. No, no, no! I had it in mind to suggest your joining
me as a matter of form. You might have liked it, and I wanted to do the
proper thing. But I'm only too glad of the opportunity of having you off
my hands. Mr. Wyndham was really providential. Meanwhile I shall be
proud to think of the nice little picture of you--I beg your pardon, of
one side of you--hanging in the Salon."

"If you take one of the long voyages, I presume you'll be away some
months," ventured Wyndham.

"Probably till the autumn. I assure you my daughter long since washed
her hands of me. She carries off her maid and disappears for years at
the time. When I think she's in Paris, somebody says, 'I saw your
daughter last week at Baden-Baden. How well she's looking!' When I
imagine she's in Baden-Baden, somebody says, 'I met your daughter at
Florence last week. How well she's looking!' Nowadays I never speculate
as to her whereabouts. I give her absolutely _carte blanche_. I'm
prepared to hear and believe anything of her, and what's more! to
approve of it and give her my blessing. On one point, you will observe,
the testimony is unanimous: 'How well she's looking!' That's the one
settled thing about her--and the sides of her. For I suppose no two
people ever do see the same side of her." He scrutinised her beamingly.

"Very well, father. It shall be goodbye till the autumn. We shall part
friends."

"So far as I see at present. We've to get through the week yet. You'll
lunch with us these days, Mr. Wyndham?"

Wyndham murmured his acceptance, enchanted at being so cordially
recognised as a friend of the house.

XIX

Wyndham told Alice of the happy chance that had presented itself of a
dash at Lady Lakeden's portrait, and held out the possibility of the
Salon's finding a corner for it.

"How delightful!" she exclaimed. "Wouldn't it be brilliant to be in the
Salon as well as in the Academy?"

"It's just a dainty little study, and of course I'm doing it for the
pure pleasure of the thing. But the committee may not consider it
important enough for serious consideration, though that depends on what
I make of it. In any case I'll present it to her afterwards in
acknowledgment of all their past kindness."

"It's the nicest acknowledgment you could possibly make them. I am so
glad you thought of it."