“I am very fond of the picture,” he said slowly.
“So am I,” said the other, smiling.
Everett glanced up, and caught the smile, and felt a strange control in it.
“You will have to take it,” he said, with a nervous laugh. “There is no other way.”
“Then, put a good price on it, my boy,” said Gregory, with matter-of-fact brevity.
“You will agree not to exhibit it anywhere, publicly?”
“Certainly. I could not do that without Mrs. Burgess’s consent.”
“How I shall make my peace with her, I am sure I cannot imagine,” murmured Everett, as he took the painting from its place, and laid it on the table preparatory to packing it.
“Will you tell her, please,” said Gregory, quite unmoved, “that I wanted the picture, and will agree to make good use of it?”
A sudden clearing passed over Everett’s clouded face.