"I thought that if you knew, it might help you to understand the situation," he answered simply.
"I understand the situation, very well," she retorted, "but you do not appear to. The situation is this: I--I was interested in you--as an artist. I, because my position in the world enabled me to help you, commissioned you to paint my portrait. You are unknown, with no name, no place in the world. I could have given you success. I could have introduced you to the people that you must know if you are to succeed. My influence would insure you a favorable reception from those who make the reputations of men like you. I could have made you the rage. I could have made you famous. And now--"
"Now," he said calmly, "you will exert your influence to hinder me in my work. Because I have not pleased you, you will use whatever power you have to ruin me. Is that what you mean, Mrs. Taine?"
"You have made your choice. You must take the consequences," she replied coldly, and turned to leave the studio.
In the doorway, stood the woman with the disfigured face.
Conrad Lagrange stood near.
XLI
Marks of the Beast
When Mrs. Taine would have passed out of the studio, the woman with the disfigured face said, "Wait madam, I must speak to you."
Aaron King recalled that strange scene at the depot, the day of his arrival in Fairlands.