He looked at the picture keenly; then, with a slight air of surprise, he said:
"I think you are right! But it is a clever forgery——"
"Oh, clever!" said Margaret, with light scorn.
"Are you an artist?" he asked, after a second's pause.
"Yes, my lord," she said, modestly.
"Yes! Ah, I understand your inability to keep outside the gallery. An artist"—his piercing eyes rested on her downcast face—"my pictures are honored by your attention, Miss Hale. Permit me to repeat my invitation. I hope you will pay the gallery many visits. If you should care to copy any of the pictures, pray do so!"
"Oh, my lord!" said Margaret, and her face lit up as if a ray of sunlight had passed across it.
There was no ill-bred admiration in his gray eyes, only a deep and steady regard.
"Copy any you choose," he said. "As to the De la Roche——"