Lady Merivale glanced sceptically at the speaker. Her faith in Jasper's sense of honour was not very strong. Then she gave a deep sigh.
"Why, Eveline," said her husband, looking up, "you seem quite grieved. Not on your own account, I hope?" The idea of his wife betting was very repugnant to him, and Lady Merivale always endeavoured to keep her little flutters, whether on 'Change or on the turf, entirely to herself. She laughed lightly, therefore, as she answered:
"Oh, no, indeed; I lost a dozen of gloves, that was all." A vision of the cheque for five hundred pounds, which she had drawn, arose before her as she spoke.
"I'm afraid it will take a little more than that to settle Leroy's book," said Lord Merivale carelessly.
At this moment the door opened and Adrien Leroy himself was announced. There was the usual buzz of welcome, and her ladyship's eyes flashed just one second, as he bent over her hand.
"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Leroy," she said. "You can settle a knotty question for us. This is my latest acquisition. Now have I been deceived, or have I not? Is it a Rubens?"
Adrien smiled at the two artists, who were slight acquaintances of his.
"You ask me while such judges are near? Cannot you decide, Alford--nor you, Colman?"
"Well, I say it is," said the first.
"While I think it is forgery," laughed the second; and thereupon ensued a lengthy and detailed criticism.