“The question is,” he added, “whether one wishes to be painted as bad when perhaps one is not so bad. Many people, I think, might fear to be painted by this very famous Mr. Dick Garstin.”
“Would you be afraid to be painted by him?” she said.
He cast a sharp glance at her with eyes which looked suddenly vigilant.
“I did not say that.”
“He’ll be furious if you refuse.”
“I see he is accustomed generally to have what he wishes.”
“Yes. And he would make a magnificent thing of you. I am certain of that.”
She saw vanity looking out of his eyes, and her vanity felt suddenly almost strangely at home with it.
“It is a compliment, I know, that he should wish to paint me,” said Arabian. “But why does he?”
The question sounded to Miss Van Tuyn almost suspicious.