"Making game of you? No!" said Wyn, in some surprise. "I am very sorry—I beg your pardon—I am afraid I have distressed you."
Lady Mabel reached out her hand towards the girl as she sat on the grass; and, placing it under her chin, turned up the flashing, quivering, carmine face and smiled into the eyes.
"Should you dislike to sit for your portrait, Elsa?"
"I don't know—I never tried—I know nothing about it!" cried she, enduring the touch, as it seemed, with difficulty, and ready to shrink back into herself.
"You would try to sit still, if it would be a help to Miss Allonby, I am sure?"
"I don't think she means it," cried the tortured Elsa, with a sob.
"I meant it, of course," said Wynifred, very sorry to have been so unintentionally distressing. "But I am ashamed of having asked so much. Sitting is very tedious, and takes up a great deal of time."
"I should be very anxious to see what you would make of her," said Mr. Fowler, with interest. "Elsa, little woman, you must see if you can't keep still, if Miss Allonby is so kind as to take so much trouble about you."
"Trouble! It would be both pleasure and education," said Wyn, with a smile; "she will make a delicious study, if——"
"If?" said Lady Mabel, turning swiftly as she hesitated.