Part 2 (2/2)
”So I perceive,” said Mr. Walkingshaw.
The young man turned to him with creditable composure.
”One can hardly judge of the effect in this light,” said he.
Mr. Walkingshaw had heard of people becoming insane under the stress of a sudden shock, and he wondered uneasily whether this misfortune had befallen Lucas Vernon or himself. The artist perceived his success, and hope began to rise afresh. He c.o.c.ked his head professionally on one side and examined the confounded girl.
”We must try the pose in my studio.”
Jean also saw the dawn of hope.
”May I inquire what you are talking about?” demanded her father.
”Miss Walkingshaw has promised to sit to me for her portrait,”
explained the artist. ”We were trying one or two positions.”
Mr. Walkingshaw breathed somewhat heavily, but said nothing. Jean's color began to subside.
”Mr. Vernon was arranging my hands,” she contributed towards his enlightenment.
Mr. Vernon was now gazing on her in the att.i.tude which he had learnt from plays and poems conveyed to the laity the best conception of artistic fervor.
”The head a little more to the right!” he exclaimed. ”The hands crossed!
A smile, please! Now, sir, how do you like that?”
Mr. Walkingshaw ignored the question altogether and addressed his daughter.
”If Mr. Vernon can give any reasons why he should paint your portrait, I think he had better give them to me before the matter goes further.”
His formidable eye supplied the addendum, ”And you leave the room!”
She obeyed, and the painter was left with this singularly favorable opportunity of obtaining a commission at last.
CHAPTER III
”Well, sir?” said Mr. Walkingshaw.
Lucas was unused to the subtleties of diplomacy, but it seemed to him an evident case for tact.
”What do you think about it yourself?” he began cautiously.
”I think,” replied the W.S., ”that you'd be better back in England.”
His eye again spoke for him, and this time it said, ”There is no further use in attempting to deceive me.”
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