The argument was still going on, when Villiers appeared, carrying a half-finished drawing, a box of water-colours, and a camp-stool; also he had a cigar in his mouth, and was attired in a loose kind of blouse, very suitable for painting in, if not very ornamental.
"And where may you be going, young gentleman?" asked Sir Aymer.
Villiers glanced at his mother for directions.
"Oh, are you going to colour that sketch?" she said. "Well, you won't have much time now, dear, so we will not delay you."
So, of course, Sir Aymer delayed him as long as he could. I would not venture to suggest a comparison between Sir Aymer Egerton and Paddy's celebrated pig on the road to Cork, so I will merely say that a long course of petty tyranny had taught Lady Anne the art of getting what she wanted by indirect means to perfection. She was not by nature an insincere woman, but she was weak, and when you bully a weak person continually, you drive them into crooked ways.
"Show me that drawing," said Sir Aymer. "Ha! Not bad, I dare say. If you were some penniless lad looking out for a livelihood, I dare say you could make something of your drawing; being what you are, it is simply so much time wasted."
VILLIERS APPEARED, CARRYING A HALF-FINISHED DRAWING.
"Is this the drawing you promised to Miss Lowther?" asked Lady Anne.
"Yes," Villiers answered, unwillingly; and privately added, "You are making a mull, little lady."