—put a—stop to." And as Miss Demolines repeated these last words with tremendous emphasis she leant with both her elbows on a little table that stood between her and her visitor, and looked with all her eyes into his face. "I do hope that you agree with me in that," said she.
"Upon my word I do not see the harm of the picture," said he.
"You do not?"
"Indeed, no. Why should not Dalrymple paint Miss Van Siever as well as any other lady? It is his special business to paint ladies."
"Look here, Mr. Eames." And now Miss Demolines, as she spoke, drew her own seat closer to that of her companion and pushed away the little table. "Do you suppose that Conway Dalrymple, in the usual way of his business, paints pictures of young ladies, of which their mothers know nothing? Do you suppose that he paints them in ladies' rooms without their husbands' knowledge? And in the common way of his business does he not expect to be paid for his pictures?"
"But what is all that to you and me, Miss Demolines?"
"Is the welfare of your friend nothing to you? Would you like to see him become the victim of the artifice of such a girl as Clara Van Siever?"
"Upon my word I think he is very well able to take care of himself."
"And would you wish to see that poor creature's domestic hearth ruined and broken up?"
"Which poor creature?"
"Dobbs Broughton, to be sure."
"I can't pretend that I care very much for Dobbs Broughton," said John Eames; "and you see I know so little about his domestic hearth."
"Oh, Mr. Eames!"
"Besides, her principles will pull her through. You told me yourself that Mrs. Broughton has high principles."
"God forbid that I should say a word against Maria Clutterbuck," said Miss Demolines, fervently. "Maria Clutterbuck was my early friend, and though words have been spoken which never should have been spoken, and though things have been done which never should have been even dreamed of, still I will not desert Maria Clutterbuck in her hour of need. No, never!"
"I'm sure you're what one may call a trump to your friends, Miss Demolines."
"I have always endeavoured to be so, and always shall. You will find me so;—that is if you and I ever become intimate enough to feel that sort of friendship."
"There's nothing on earth I should like better," said Johnny. As soon as the words were out of his mouth he felt ashamed of himself.
