Part 27 (1/2)

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

A year or two ago the girl turned up again--walked into my studio, and wanted to sit to me. As it happened I could have used her very well.

Just as I had given her a drink who should march in too, but my wife.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

The devil.

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

I _said_ my wife--but--

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Yes, go on.

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

She recognised my visitor in a moment from the photograph--abused her, insulted me, and raised a royal row. The girl cleared out like a shot, and I pledge you my word I have never seen her since, but from that hour to this not a day pa.s.ses without Mrs. Sylvester making some allusion to the incident. I am the most moral man alive, and I'm watched and suspected as if I were a criminal.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

We must see more of each other than we have of late. When I work in your studio we shall be company for each other.

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

I shall be very glad. Well, I'll be off, now. See you to-morrow then?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

To-morrow! Au revoir, dear boy.

(_Exit_ SYLVESTER.)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Poor old Sylvester! Had no idea Mrs. Sylvester was such a termagant. I must cheer him up a bit. So there was a girl, was there, and Mrs.

Sylvester is jealous of her? Wonder who she was! Nice girl I daresay--Sylvester's taste was always good excepting when he married.

Where is Bob with my model?--time he was back! (_Goes to window_.) There goes Sylvester--funny thing you can always tell a married man by his walk. There is a solidity about it--a sort of resignation. (_Turns looking off the other way_.) And here comes a pretty girl.--What a pretty girl--Funny thing you can always tell a pretty girl by her walk.

There is a consciousness about it--a thanksgiving. She is stopping here. Lovely woman stopping here!

(_Throws up window, and leans out more and more till gradually only a small section of his legs remain on the stage_)

ROSALINE (_off_).

Is this Mr. Tempenny's studio?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.