Part 7 (1/2)

The face which his interest had brightened clouded

”No, I' any edy to a whole-souled Latin Quarter art student that this implied was not revealed to Bulstrode, but, as it was, his sensitive kindness felt so oal with eagerness:

”I' to ask you if you couldn't possibly paint my portrait?” It came from hiht have quailed at his hypocrisy, but the expression of joy on her face, eclipsing everything else, dazzled hioodness!” so loud that one or two tea-drinkers turned about

After a second, having gained control and half as though she expected some motive she did not understand:

”But you never _heard_ of me before to-day! I don't believe you _really_ liked that portrait over there so very much”

With a candor that iive you my word of honor I've never felt quite so about any portrait before”

Here Miss Desprey had a cup of tea handed her by a vague-eyed girl who stumbled over Bulstrode in her ministrations, much to her confusion

Laura Desprey drank her tea with avidity, put the cup down on the table near, and leaning over to her patron, exclaiot an order!”

Bulstrode affire to stay over for it--if it would,” he delicately put, ”be worth your while----”

She said quietly:

”Yes, it would be worth my while”

A _distrait_ look passed over her face for a second, and Bulstrode saas forgotten in, as he supposed, a painter's vision of an order and its contingent technicalities

”I can begin at once” He lost no time ”I'm quite free”

”But--I have no studio”

”There must be studios to rent”

Yes She knew of one; she could secure it for a month It would take that time--she was a sloorker

”But we haven't discussed the price” Before so le--not that it was new to him, but clothed like this in beauty it was rare and appealed to him--he was embarrassed by his riches

”Now the price I want,” he round, just as handso as you can paint it”

He exquisitely sacrificed himself and winced at his oords, and saw her color with amusement and a little scorn, but he went on bravely:

”Now for a man like me, Miss Desprey--I am sure you will knohat I mean--a man who has never been painted before--this picture will have to cost me a lot of money You see otherwise arian he was nized the unpretentious Bulstrode

”Get the place, Miss Desprey, and let ive you extra expenses--I understand about that! Every tie my rooms it costs me a fortune Now if you will let me send you over a check for half paye as he dared and a quarter of what he wanted They were alone in the tea-roo had weeded itself out Miss Desprey turned pale

”No,” she gasped; ”I couldn't take anything like half so ”