hielding your eyes, and the other pressed against
your breast. It would be stunning." He spoke enthusiastically, but in
quite an impersonal tone, as though he were discussing the posing of a
model.

Miss Morris jumped down from the low wall on which she had been
standing, and said, simply, "Of course I should like to have you paint
me very much."

Mrs. Downs looked up with interest to see if Mr. Carlton was serious.

"When?" said Carlton, vaguely. "Oh, I don't know. Of course this is
entirely too nice to last, and you will be going home soon, and then
when I do get back to the States you will--you will have other things
to do."

"Yes," repeated Miss Morris, "I shall have something else to do besides
gazing out at the AEgean Sea." She raised her head and looked across
the rock for a moment with some interest. Her eyes, which had grown
wistful, lighted again with amusement. "Here are your friends," she
said, smiling.

"No!" exclaimed Carlton, scrambling to his feet.

"Yes," said Miss Morris. "The Duke has seen us, and is coming over
here."

When Carlton had gained his feet and turned to look, his friends had
separated in different directions, and were strolling about alone or in
pairs among the great columns of the Parthenon. But the Duke came
directly towards them, and seated himself on a low block of marble in
front of the two ladies. After a word or two about the beauties of the
place, he asked if they would go to the reception which the King gave
to him on the day following. They answered that they should like to
come very much, and the Prince expressed his satisfaction, and said
that he would see that the chamberlain sent them invitations. "And
you, Mr. Carlton, you will come also, I hope. I wish you to be
presented to my sisters. They are only amateurs in art, but they are
great admirers of your work, and they have rebuked me for not having
already presented you. We were all disappointed," he continued,
courteously, "at not having you to dine with us that night in
Constantinople, but now I trust I shall see something of you here. You
must tell us what we are to admire."

"That is very easy," said Carlton. "Everything."

"You are quite right," said the Prince, bowing to the ladies as he
moved away. "It is all very beautiful."

"Well, now you certainly will meet her," said Miss Morris.

"Oh no, I won't," said Carlton, with resignation. "I have had two
chances and lost them, and I'll m