danger of just catching him
between his engagements, since he would no doubt come home to change.

She would see the portrait at her leisure; she would at last study the
features of the woman--the beautiful, brilliant woman--who had
unwittingly robbed her.

"And I have no beauty," she sobbed; "I am plain and insignificant. I
have no cleverness, no experience; not one little weapon to fight with,
to win him back to me!"

XXII

Wyndham had finished Lady Betty's portrait on the previous morning, and
had taken it back with him to his studio. To-day the frame, a copy of a
fine old Venetian model, came early in the morning, and Wyndham had soon
fixed the canvas within it. He was enchanted with the effect. If the
Salon had only a corner to spare for it, he was certain they would not
turn it away. And--entrancing idea!--why should not Lady Betty deign to
come here on this last day, and snatch a glimpse of herself in this
charming setting which he had selected with such loving interest. There
was a long day before them, and he might well seize the mood and the
auspicious moment.

He lingered before his picture, then brusquely tore himself away from
it, and sat down and wrote instructions to the frame-maker, who was to
come and fetch it away on the morrow, and despatch it to Paris
immediately.

For this was his great day; that was to leave with him for ever the
memory of gracious companionship and irrevocable farewell! The day on
which he would live for Lady Betty and forget all else! Then she would
pass out of his life. He strove to face the stern decree. But only a
blank met his vision. He turned his eyes away; his thoughts should be of
the day only.

He had hardly considered what their programme should be. But now, on his
way, he began to ponder it lazily, dwelling fancifully on possibilities
rather than arriving at anything rigid or definite. They would roam
about at random, like two sweethearts of the people; their evening they
would spend at a theatre, no doubt something out of the way, and they
would find their meals as the bizarre occasion might offer itself. They
would invest this everyday London with the romantic light of their own
spirit; they would wander as through a strange capital, and observe
humanity with a new eye. And then, of course, he must keep before him
the possibility of the visit to his own studio, in which Lady Betty had
never as yet set foot.

At midday he rang the bell at Grosvenor