Part 126 (2/2)
”That's how it ends!”
And he went over to what had been Arabian's portrait, and gazed at the hole which surmounted the magnificent torso. He had no doubt that Arabian had gone out of Miss Van Tuyn's life for ever. Probably, almost certainly, he had returned to the hotel on the previous evening, had been given the note Miss Van Tuyn had written to dictation, and also a hint from that very discreet and capable fellow, Henriques, of what might happen if he persisted in trying to force himself upon her. And then he had come to the decision which had led to the outrage in the studio. Where was he now? No longer in Rose Tree Gardens if Sir Seymour knew anything of men.
”The morning boat to Paris, and--the underworld!” Sir Seymour muttered to himself.
”Not much to look at now, is it?” said Garstin's voice behind him.
He turned round quickly.
Garstin was gazing at his ruined masterpiece with a curious twisted smile.
”What can one say?” said Sir Seymour. ”When Horridge was here I thought: 'When he's gone I'll tell Mr. Garstin!' And now he is gone, and--and--”
He went up to Garstin and held out his hand.
”I know I don't understand what you feel about this. No one could but a fellow-painter as big as you are. But I wish I could make you understand what I feel about something else.”
”And what's that?” said Garstin, as he took Sir Seymour's hand, almost doubtfully.
”About the way you've taken it, and your letting the blackguard off.”
”Oh, as to that, I bet you he'll be in Paris by five to-day.”
”Just what I think. But still--”
He pressed Garstin's hand, and Garstin returned the pressure.
”Beryl wanted me to paint him, but I painted him to please myself. I'm a selfish brute, like most painters, I suppose.”
”But you're letting him go because of Miss Van Tuyn.”
”d.a.m.n it, I believe I am. I say, are you ever coming here again?”
”If I may.”
”I wish you would.”
He gazed at Sir Seymour's strong head.
”I've spent half my life in showing people up on canvas,” he said. ”I should like to try something else.”
”And what's that?”
”I should like to try to reveal the underneath fine instead of the underneath filth. It'd be a new experiment for me.”
He laughed.
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