“But you do not think it wrong, I hope?” exclaimed Flemington, the gaiety dying out of his face. “There is no fraud about it! It is not as if a man deceived his sitter.”
The half-petulant distress in his voice struck Balnillo, and almost touched him; there was something so simple and confiding in it.
“It might have entertained your lordship to see them,” continued Archie ruefully. “I should have liked to show you the strange company I travel with.”
“So you shall, Mr. Flemington,” said the old man. “It would entertain me very greatly. I only fear that the lady with the white roses may enslave me,” he added, with rather obvious jocosity.
“Indeed, now is the time for that,” replied Archie, his face lighting up again, “for I hope she may soon wear the head of some fat town councillor’s wife of Aberdeen.”
As he spoke Captain Logie returned with the news that dinner was prepared.
“I have been out to the stable to see what we could do for your horses,” said he.
“Thank you a thousand times, sir,” exclaimed Archie.
Lord Balnillo watched his brother as he led the painter to the door.
“I think I will come, too, and sit with Mr. Flemington while he eats,” he said, after a moment’s hesitation.