At the shop he found Jim in a state of dismay. Possible complications had occurred to him. He explained the whole incident to Everest and then wound up with:
"I didn't know what to say on the spur of the moment, as you might call it. With the gentleman there, pressing me to take five hundred pounds for it, it seemed nothing less than my duty, but for heaven's sake, sir, don't let the lady give me away about it, for if Mr. Burton thought I'd made him pay more than I might have done, perhaps he'd never come into the shop again."
Everest listened to the whole recital with some amusement.
"I can't say what view the lady will take," he said at the end. "But I am quite sure she won't do anything to make trouble for you. As you say, Burton's opinion goes far to making the value of it. I do not see any harm in her accepting his price myself, but she may choose to refuse. We shall see."
"If she lets on that she fixed the price at seventy-five pounds, Burton'll see the whole game," wailed the shopman. "Do tell her, sir, she mustn't give me away like that."
Everest promised he would see he was protected, and when the man was somewhat calmed, he returned to the rooms.
Regina was standing by the mantelpiece, gazing at the garden picture, when he entered.
He went up to her, and bending over her kissed her white shoulder, and pressed the cheque into her hand.
"The picture was sold to-day and the buyer thought its price was seven hundred and fifty pounds. He offered Jim five hundred for it, and the man thought it his duty to accept it."
Regina gazed back at him with astonished eyes.