“One or two. But all I know of these two pictures is derived from offers forwarded me by the secretary at the exhibition rooms. I was surprised when I got them at first. But never mind them. Tell me more about the people one used to know. What about Ingram now? Has he cut the Board of Trade? Does he drive in the Park? Is he still in his rooms in Sloane Street?”
“Then you have had no letters from him?” Mosenberg said, with some surprise.
“No. Probably he does not know where I am. In any case—”
“But he is going to be married,” Mosenberg cried. “You did not know that. And to Mrs. Lorraine.”
“You don’t say so? Why, he used to hate her; but that was before he knew her. To Mrs. Lorraine?”
“Yes. And it is amusing. She is so proud of him. And if he speaks at the table she will turn away from you, as if you were not worth listening to, and have all her attention for him. And whatever is his opinion, she will defend that, and you must not disagree with her. Oh, it is very amusing!” and the lad laughed and shook back his curls.
“It is an odd thing,” Lavender said: “but many a time, long before Ingram ever saw Mrs. Lorraine, I used to imagine these two married. I knew she was just the sort of clever, independent, clear-headed woman to see Ingram’s strong points, and rate them at their proper value. But I never expected anything of the sort, of course; for I had always a notion that some day or other he would be led into marrying some pretty, gentle, soft-headed young thing, whom he would have to take through life in a protecting sort of way, and who would never be a real companion for him. So he is to marry Mrs. Lorraine, after all. Well, he won’t become a man of fashion, despite all his money. He is sure to start a yacht, for one thing. And they will travel a deal. I suppose I must write and congratulate him.”
“I met them on the day I went to see your picture,” Mosenberg said. “Mrs. Lorraine was looking at it a long time, and at last she came back and said, ‘The sea in that picture makes me feel cold.’ That was a compliment, was it not? Only you cannot get a good view very often, for the people will not stand back from the pictures. But every one asks why you do not keep these two over for the Academy.”
“I shall have other two for the Academy, I hope.”
“Commissions?” Johnny asked with a practical air.