"With commendable prudence and foresight he secured one a couple of months back in the neighbourhood of the Regent's Park."
"And it was there I suppose he painted that picture he sold for twenty pounds."
"Twenty guineas," amended Mr. Dean. "A friend of mine did pay him that very handsome amount for a sketch of a little girl which the purchaser imagined bore some resemblance to a deceased daughter of his own."
"His model being Lenore, doubtless."
"I should say most probably."
Dolly did not answer. She sat for a minute or two looking out at the leaves littering the lawn, at the sodden earth, at the late blooming flowers beaten almost into the earth by reason of the violence of the rain—then she said,
"And so they, Antonia and Rupert, go to those lodgings you spoke of?"
"Yes, on Tuesday next, if Miss Halling can complete her preparations in the time."
"Rats leave a sinking ship," murmured Mrs. Mortomley to herself.