"And these things were in the palaces of the old nobles?"
"Many of them. Perhaps all of them. I should say, a large proportion."
"That makes them worth just so much the more."
"You need not tell Master Levi that. And you have admired so much this morning, Mrs. Copley, if you will take my advice, it will be most discreet to come away without making any offer. Do not let him think you have any purpose of buying. I am afraid he will put on a fearful price, if you do."
Whether Lawrence meant this counsel seriously, or whether it was a feint to get Mrs. Copley safely out of the shop, Dolly was uncertain; she was grateful to Lawrence all the same. No doubt he had seen that she was anxious. He had been in fact amused at the elder lady not more than interested for the younger one; Dolly's delicate attempts to draw off her mother from thoughts of buying had been so pretty, affectionate, and respectful in manner, sympathising, and yet steady in self-denial. Mrs. Copley was hard to bring off. She looked at Lawrence, doubtful and antagonistic, but his suggestion had been too entirely in her own line not to be appreciated. Mrs. Copley looked and longed, and held her tongue; except from exclamations. They got out of the shop at last, and Dolly made a private resolve not to be caught there again if she could help it.
In the afternoon she devoted herself to painting Lawrence's picture.
Her first purpose had been to take a profile or side view of him; but St. Leger declared, if the likeness was for his mother she would never be satisfied if the eyes did not look straight into her eyes; so Dolly had to give that point up; and accordingly, while she studied him, he had full and equal opportunity to study her. It was a doubtful satisfaction. He could rarely meet Dolly's eyes, while yet he saw how coolly they perused him, how calmly they studied him as an abstract thing. He wanted to see a little shyness, a little consciousness, a little wavering, in those clear, wise orbs; but no! Dolly sat at her work and did it as unconcernedly as if she were five years old, to all appearance; with as quiet, calm poise of manner and simplicity of dignity as if she had been fifty. But how pretty she was! Those eyes of hers were such an uncommon mingling of childhood and womanhood, and so lovely in cut and colour and light; and the mouth was the most mobile thing ever known under that name, and charming in every mood of rest or movement. The whole delicate face, the luxuriant brown hair, the little hands, the supple, graceful figure, Lawrence studied over and over again; till he felt it was not good for him.
"Painting a person must make you well acquainted with him," he began after a long silence, during which Dolly had been very busy.
"Outside knowledge," said Dolly.
"Does not the outside always tell something of what is within?"
"Something," Dolly allowed in the same tone.
"What do you see in me?"
"Mrs. St. Leger will know, when she gets this."
"What you see _in_ me?"
"Well, no--perhaps not."
"Couldn't you indulge me and tell me?"
"Why should I?"
"Out of kindness."
"I do not know whether it would be a kindness," said Dolly slowly.
"You see, Dolly, a fellow can't stand everything for ever! I want to know what you think of me, and what my chances are. Come! I've been pretty patient, it strikes me. Speak out a bit."
Mrs. Copley was lying down to rest, and Rupert had left the room. The pair were alone.
"What do you want me to say, Mr. St. Leger?"
"Tell me what you see in me."
"What would be the good of that? I see an Englishman, to begin with."
"You _see_ that in me?"
"Certainly."
"I am glad, but I didn't know it. Is that an advantage in your eyes?"
"Am I an Englishwoman?"
"Not a bit of it," said Lawrence, "nor like it. I never saw an English girl the least like you. But you might grow into it, Dolly, don't you think?"
She lifted her face for an instant and gave him a flashing glance of fun.
"Won't you try, Dolly?"
"I think I would just as lieve be an American."
"Why? America is too far off."
"Very good when you get there," said Dolly contentedly.
"But not better than we have on our side?"
"Well, you have not all the advantages on your side," said Dolly, much occupied with her drawing.
"Go on, and tell me _what_ we have not."
"I doubt the wisdom."
"I beg the favour."
"It would not please you. In the first place, you would not believe me.
In the second place, you would reckon an advantage what I reckon a disadvantage."
"What _do_ you mean?" said Lawrence, very curious and at the same time uneasy. Dolly tried to get off, but he held her to the point. At last Dolly spoke out.
"Mr. St. Leger, women have a better time in my country."
"A better time? Impossible. There are no homes in the world where wives and daughters are better cared for or better loved. None in the world!"
"Ah," said Dolly, "they are too well cared for."
"How do you mean?"
"Too little free."
"Free?" said Lawrence. "Is _that_ what you want?"
"And not quite respected enough."
"Dolly, you bewilder me. What ever did you see or hear to make you think our women are not respected?"
"I dare say it is a woman's view," said Dolly lightly. But Lawrence eagerly begged her to explain or give an instance of what she meant.