"Oh, that will do for you to say," she returned archly. "I have done some sketching myself. Perhaps I could persuade you to take a pupil."
"Nothing doing," returned the artist hastily. "We all come up here to rest, don't we?" he added.
"Oh, I suppose so," sighed Miss Emerson. "But I do hope you will give me the great pleasure of seeing your work sometime." She sank back into her chair with a sigh.
"That is a very fine glass," remarked Mrs. Lowell as she returned it to its owner. His brow cleared as he received it.
"Well, I must be off," he said. "I mustn't waste time under these favoring skies."
"Oh, Miss Wilbur," said Miss Emerson, addressing the young girl. "Wouldn't it be lovely if Mr. Gayne would let us go with him and watch him sketch?"
"I am quite ignorant of his art," returned Diana, rising from her seat. "And I still have a great deal of exploring to do on my own account."
Nicholas Gayne cast an admiring glance at the statuesque lines of her face and figure.
"Perhaps you will let me make a sketch of you one of these days, Miss Wilbur." He approached the piazza rail as he spoke and his voice carried down to where Philip was painting under the eyes of the silent, watching boy.