“Not a second for one sitting——”

“Hopeless!”

Mary smiled provokingly, her white teeth gleaming in obstinate good humor.

“He's the most distinguished artist in America——”

“I've heard so.”

“It would be a liberal education for a girl of your training to know such a man——”

“I'll omit that course of instruction.”

The younger woman was silent a moment, and a flush of anger slowly mounted her temples. The blue eyes were fixed reproachfully on her friend.

“You really thought that I would pose?”

“I hoped so.”