“How did you find out?” he had said.
Paul had looked at him, and the next moment the mask had been on again, and he had been talking business.
“You’ve sold this portrait, haven’t you?” he had asked.
“Unfortunately not,” Paul had replied. “It seems to give offence to your numerous admirers.”
“Then, if you will allow me, I should like to become the purchaser,” had been the reply.
Paul had looked at him.
“It’s not for sale,” he had said.
St. Aubyn had bowed and taken up his hat without so much as looking disappointed.
“But I’ll send it round to your house to-morrow,” Paul had said.
St. Aubyn had refused. He had talked polite platitudes regarding the value of the work.