"How dark it is!" said Dora; "have I slept a long while? Mr. Lorimer is gone, I suppose?"
Lorimer was watching from behind a screen the working out of his stratagem.
"Dear Mrs. Grantham," said Dr. Templeton, "I am going to make a particular request of you. I want to try an experiment. Just to please me, would you mind taking this palette and these brushes, and seating yourself in front of that easel?"
The reader remembers that Dora had placed, side by side, in her poor room, the two easels that had so stood in Philip's studio.
"It is not exactly a favour I ask, it is a prescription that I have great faith in for you, and that may have great results—I beg of you!"
"Why, of course, with pleasure," said Dora, allowing herself to be drawn towards the second easel.
"Now, mix your colours and prepare to do some painting."
"But what shall I mix?" demanded Dora; "I am only too willing to obey."
"Oh, never mind what—I am making a little experiment with you—that is all; I will tell you later on more about it—come, you can't refuse me.
"But, my dear doctor, the room is too dark; I cannot see; is it evening already?"