第103章

On that same afternoon Conway Dalrymple rolled up his sketch of Jael and Sisera, put it into his pocket, dressed himself with some considerable care, putting on a velvet coat which he was in the habit of wearing out of doors when he did not intend to wander beyond Kensington Gardens, and the neighbourhood and which was supposed to become him well, yellow gloves, and a certain Spanish hat of which he was fond, and slowly sauntered across to the house of his friend Mrs Dobbs Broughton. When the door was opened to him he did not ask of the lady were at home, but muttering some word to the servant, made his way through the hall, upstairs, to a certain small sitting-room looking to the north which was much used by the mistress of the house. It was quite clear that Conway Dalrymple had arranged his visit beforehand, and that he was expected.

He opened the door without knocking, and, though the servant had followed him, he entered without being announced. 'I'm afraid I'm late,' he said, as he gave his hand to Mrs Broughton; 'but for the life I could not get away sooner.'

'You are quite in time,' said the lady, 'for any good that you are likely to do.'

'What does that mean?'

'It means this, my friend, that you had better give the idea up. I have been thinking of it all day, and I do not approve of it.'

'What nonsense!'

'Of course you will say so, Conway. I have observed of late that whatever I say to you is called nonsense. I suppose it is the new fashion that gentlemen should so express themselves, but I am not quite sure that I like it.'

'You know what I mean. I am very anxious about this picture, and Ishall be much disappointed if it cannot be done now. It was you put it into my head first.'

'I regret it very much, I can assure you; but it will not be generous in you to urge that against me.'

'But why shouldn't it succeed?'

'There are many reasons--some personal to myself.'

'I do not know what they can be. You hinted at something which I only took as having been said in joke.'

'If you mean about Miss Van Siever and yourself, I was quite in earnest, Conway. I do not think you could do better, and I should be glad to see it of all things. Nothing would please me more than to bring Miss Van Siever and you together.'

'And nothing would please me less.'

'But why so?'

'Because--because--I can do nothing but tell you the truth, carina; it is because my heart is not free to present itself at Miss Van Siever's feet.'

'It ought to be so, Conway, and you must make it free. It will be well that you should be married, and well for others besides yourself. I tell you so as your friend, you have no truer friend. Sit where you are, if you please. You can say anything you have to say without stalking about the room.'

'I was not going to stalk--as you call it.'

'You will be safer and quieter while you are sitting. I heard a knock at the door, and I do not doubt that it will be Clara. She said she would be here.'

'And you have told her about the picture?'

'Yes; I have told her. She said that it would be impossible, and that her mother would not allow it. Here she is.' Then Miss Van Siever was shown into the room, and Dalrymple perceived that she was a girl the peculiarity of whose complexion bore daylight better even than candlelight. There was something in her countenance which seemed to declare that she could bear any light to which it might be subjected, without flinching from it. And her bonnet, which was very plain, and her simple brown morning gown, suited her well. She was one who required none of the circumstances of studied dress to carry off aught in her own appearance. She could look her best when other women look their worst, and could dare to be seen at all times. Dalrymple, with an artist's eye, saw this at once, and immediately confessed to himself that there was something great about her. He could not deny her beauty. But there was ever present to him that look of hardness which had struck him when he first saw her. He could not but fancy that though at times she might be playful, and allow the fur of her coat to be stroked with good-humour--she would be a dangerous plaything, using her claws unpleasantly when the good-humour should have passed away. But not the less was she beautiful, and--beyond that and better than that, for his purpose--she was picturesque.

'Clara,' said Mrs Broughton, 'here is this mad painter, and he says that he will have you on his canvas either with your will or without it.'

'Even if he could do that, I am sure he would not,' said Miss Van Siever.

'To prove to you that I can, I think I need only show you the sketch,' said Dalrymple, taking the drawing out of his pocket. 'As regards the face, I know it so well by heart already, that I feel certain I could produce a likeness without even a sitting. What do you think of it, Mrs Broughton?'

'It is clever,' said she, looking at it with all the enthusiasm which women are able to throw into their eyes on such occasions; 'very clever.

The subject would just suit her. I have never doubted that.'

'Eames says that it is confused,' said the artist.

'I don't see that at all,' said Mrs Broughton.

'Of course a sketch must be rough. This one has been rubbed about and altered--but I think there is something in it.'

'An immense deal,' said Mrs Broughton. 'Don't you think so, Clara?'

'I am not a judge.'

'But you can see the woman's fixed purpose; and her stealthiness as well;--and the man sleeps like a log. What is that dim outline?'

'Nothing in particular,' said Dalrymple. But the dim outline was intended to represent Mrs Van Siever.