“I am afraid, my dear fellow, her right is not to be contested. In my view, this half-finished canvas is much more her property than it is yours.”
“Well,” said Jim, apprehensively, “I shall remove it at once to my studio.”
Cheriton had dropped his little bombshell. The gyrations of his victim, whom he had fully alarmed, seemed to afford him a great deal of pleasure.
“Let us take it a little easier, my dear fellow,” said he. “I agree with you that it would be a great pity to destroy such an extremely promising work of art. Let us seek for an alternative.”
“The only alternative I can see,” said Jim, “is that I should remove it at once.”
“In its half-finished state? That would be a pity.”
“Well, I don’t mean it to be burnt if I can help it,” said Jim.
During the pause which followed Jim looked highly perplexed, not a little disconcerted, and also somewhat belligerent.
“I have a suggestion to make to you, Lascelles,” said his patron. “In the circumstances I think it is quite the most you can hope for.”
“I shall be happy to consider it, Lord Cheriton,” said Jim, with a rueful smile.