“No doubt. But the intelligence preponderates in your case, which is what makes the contrast so strong.”
“I didn’t know I was as intelligent as all that!” Katharine laughed a little at what she took for a piece of rather gross flattery.
“No,” answered Crowdie, thoughtfully. “That is your peculiar charm. Do you mind the light in your eyes? Just to try the effect? So? Does that tire you?”
He had changed the arrangement of some of the shades so as to throw a strong glare in her face. She looked up and the white light gleamed like fire in her grey eyes.
“I couldn’t stand it long,” she said. “Is it necessary?”
“Oh, no. Nothing is necessary. I’ll try it another way. So.” He moved the shades again.
“What a funny speech!” exclaimed Katharine. “To say that nothing is necessary—”
“It’s a very true speech. Nothing is the same as Pure Being in some philosophies, and Pure Being is the only condition which is really absolutely necessary. Now, would you mind letting me see you in perfect profile? I’m sorry to bother you, but it’s only at first. When we’ve made up our minds—if you’d just turn your head towards the fireplace, a little more—a shade more, please—that’s it—one moment so—”
He stood quite still, gazing at her side face as though trying to fix it in his memory in order to compare it with other aspects.
“I want to paint you every way at once,” he said. “May I ask—what do you think, yourself, is the best view of your face?”