an easy hand to read,
and Lady Gertrude produced her pince-nez to assist in deciphering it.
For the most part it dealt with small incidents of her visit and
dutiful enquiries concerning the progress of estate and domestic
affairs at the Hall during her absence. But just before the end--where
it might linger longest in the memory--came a paragraph which riveted
Lady Gertrude's attention.

"And how about Nan's portrait?" Isobel had written. "I suppose by this
time it is finished and adorning the picture gallery? That is, if
Roger has really succeeded in persuading Mr. Rooke to part with it. It
certainly ought to be an _exceptional_ portrait, judging by the length
of time it has taken to accomplish! Dear Aunt Gertrude, I cannot help
thinking it was a mistake that Nan didn't give Mr. Rooke the sittings
at his studio in town or, better still, have waited until after her
marriage. People in the country are so apt to be censorious, aren't
they? And there has been a good deal of comment on the matter, I
_know_. I didn't wish to worry you about it, but I feel you and Roger
really ought to know this."

"Letter from Isobel, mother? What's her news?"

Roger came striding into the room exactly as Lady Gertrude finished the
perusal of her niece's epistle. She looked up with eyes that gleamed
like hard, bright pebbles behind her pince-nez.

"The kind of news to which I fear we shall have to grow accustomed,"
she said acidly. "It appears that Nan is getting herself talked about
in connection with that artist who is painting her portrait."

By the time she had finished speaking Roger's face was like a
thundercloud.

"What do you mean? What does Isobel say?" he demanded.

"You had better read the letter for yourself," replied his mother,
pushing it towards him.

He snatched it up and read it hastily, then stood silently staring at
it, his face white with anger, his eyes as hard as Lady Gertrude's own.

"It's a great pity you ever met Nan Davenant," pursued his mother,
breaking the silence. "There's bad blood in the Davenants, and Nan
will probably create a scandal for us one day. I understand she
strongly resembles her notorious great-grandmother, Angele de
Varincourt."

"My wife will lead a very different kind of life from Angele de
Varincourt," remarked Roger. "I'll see to that."

"It's a pity you didn't look nearer home for a wife, Roger," she
observed. "I always hoped you would learn to care for Isob