Margaret laughed softly.
"I don't know, my lord," she said at last.
"If you will sell it, I will buy it," he said.
Margaret flushed with gratification.
"I do not know its worth, but I will venture to offer you fifty pounds."
"That's a great deal too much, my lord," she said, decidedly.
"I think not," he responded, so quietly that she could say nothing else beyond "Thank you, my lord!"
"You shall paint another picture for me," he said; "not a copy this time." He paused a moment, then went on, "Choose some small piece of woodland scenery and paint it for me, if you will, Miss Hale."
"I will, my lord," said Margaret, gratefully.
Her simple response seemed to please him, and he looked at her thoughtfully, and with a sad regret. Why had not Heaven blessed him with a daughter like to this beautiful girl? was passing through his mind.