in at your party."

"He's a jolly good fellow; but what's one to say," Peter put to her, "of
a painter who goes for his inspiration to the House of Commons?"

"To the House of Commons?" she echoed.

"He has lately got himself elected."

"Dear me, what a pity! I wanted to sit for him. But perhaps he won't
have me--as I'm not a member of Parliament."

"It's my sister, rather, who has got him in."

"Your sister who was at your house that day? What has she to do with
it?" Miriam asked.

"Why she's his cousin just as I am. And in addition," Sherringham went
on, "she's to be married to him."

"Married--really?" She had a pause, but she continued. "So he paints
_her_, I suppose?"

"Not much, probably. His talent in that line isn't what she esteems in
him most."

"It isn't great, then?"

"I haven't the least idea."

"And in the political line?" the girl persisted.

"I scarcely can tell. He's very clever."

"He does paint decently, then?"

"I daresay."

Miriam looked once more at Gerome's picture. "Fancy his going into the
House of Commons! And your sister put him there?"

"She worked, she canvassed."

"Ah you're a queer family!" she sighed, turning round at the sound of a
step.

"We're lost--here's Mademoiselle Voisin," said Sherringham.

This celebrity presented herself smiling and addressing Miriam. "I acted
for _you_ to-night--I did my best."

"What a pleasure to speak to you, to thank you!" the girl murmured
admiringly. She was startled and dazzled.

"I couldn't come to you before, but now I've got a rest--for half an
hour," the actress went on. Gracious and passive, as if a little spent,
she let Sherringham, without looking at him, take her hand and raise it
to his lips. "I'm sorry I make you lose the others--they're so good in
this act," she added.

"We've seen them before and there's nothing so good as you," Miriam
promptly returned.

"I like my part," said Mademoiselle Voisin gently, smiling still at our
young lady with clear, charming eyes. "One's always better in that
case."

"She's so bad sometimes, you know!" Peter jested to Miriam; leading the
actress thus to glance at him, kindly and vaguely, in a short silence
which you couldn't call on her part embarrassment, but which was still
less affectation.

"And it's so interesting to be here--so interesting!" Miriam protested.

"Ah you like our old house? Yes, we're very proud of it." And
Mademoiselle Voisin smiled again at Sherringh