Again he could not resist glancing toward Philip, and so eagerly that Philip deemed it would be only polite to look interested. So he obligingly assumed a startled look, with which he endeavored to mingle simulations of surprise, awe, and envy.
The next instant an expression of real surprise overspread his features.
Mr. Faust continued. “If you will come upstairs,” he said to the picture-dealer, “I will give you your check; and then I should like to drive to your apartments and take a farewell look at the picture.”
“I am sorry,” the Baron said, “but I have had it moved to my art gallery to be packed.”
“Then let's go to the gallery,” urged the patron of art. “We've just time before lunch.” He rose to his feet, and on the instant the soul of the picture-dealer was filled with alarm.
In actual words he said: “The picture is already boxed and in its lead coffin. No doubt by now it is on its way to Liverpool. I am sorry.” But his thoughts, as Philip easily read them, were: “Fancy my letting this vulgar fool into the Tate Street workshop! Even HE would know that old masters are not found in a half-finished state on Chelsea-made frames and canvases. Fancy my letting him see those two half-completed Van Dycks, the new Hals, the half-dozen Corots. He would even see his own copy of Velasquez next to the one exactly like it—the one MacMillan finished yesterday and that I am sending to Oporto, where next year, in a convent, we shall 'discover' it.”
Philip's surprise gave way to intense amusement. In his delight at the situation upon which he had stumbled, he laughed aloud. The two men, who had risen, surprised at the spectacle of a young man laughing at nothing, turned and stared. Philip also rose.
“Pardon me,” he said to Faust, “but you spoke so loud I couldn't help overhearing. I think we've met before, when I was a reporter on the Republic.”
The Pittsburgh millionaire made a pretense, of annoyance.
“Really!” he protested irritably, “you reporters butt in everywhere. No public man is safe. Is there no place we can go where you fellows won't annoy us?”