"One other observation. I have not seen much of you, M. Beringy, but that little has not disposed me to see more. May I therefore ask you--to leave my studio?" "Monsieur!" "Or--must I turn you out?" "Turn me out!" The Vicomte had been listening to this little dialogue. He now turned towards his friend. "Ah, my friend, it is as he says! He will turn you out, neck and crop, as the English say. He will throw you down the stairs, he will heave half a brick at your head, to help you on your way. Then, when you require satisfaction, he will refer you to a magistrate. You will summon him--it will be in the papers--he will be fined half-a-crown! That is how they manage these affairs in England. It is true!" "But--among gentlemen!" "_Ah, mon ami, voila!_ In England, nowadays, there are no gentlemen!" Mr. Lovell moved a step towards M. Berigny. "I have asked you, as a gentleman, to leave my studio." "Monsieur, you are a coward!" The painter's eyes gleamed. But he kept his temper pretty well, considering. "You appear to have been taught singularly ill manners in your native country, sir. I will endeavour to teach you better manners here. Are you going? Or must I eject you?" "_Polison!_" That was M. Berigny's answer. There was just a momentary hesitation. Then, grasping M. Berigny firmly by the shoulders, Mr. Lovell began to move him, more rapidly than gently, in the direction of the door. The Vicomte came forward, with the evident intention of interposing. There would probably have been a slightly undignified scramble had not a diversion been created by the opening of the door, and the entrance of Mr. Warren. That gentleman glanced from one person to another. "I beg your pardon," he observed. "I hope I don't intrude!" Mr. Lovell laughed, a little forcedly. His complexion was distinctly ruddy. "Not at all! I wish you had come in sooner. The most ridiculous thing has happened." "Indeed! I have an eye for the ridiculous." "You know that picture of mine, 'A Vision of the Night'?" "I've heard of it." "This gentleman says that it's a portrait of his wife." Mr. Lovell pointed to the Vicomte d'Humieres. "No? Then, in that case, this gentleman's wife came into your bedroom in the middle of the night, and--kissed you, wasn't it?" Mr. Warren spoke in the innocence of his heart, but, at that moment, Mr. Lovell could have struck his boyhood's friend. There was a listener behind the screen. The young gentleman's cheeks grew crimson, as the lady's had done a few minutes before. He was conscious, too, that the Vicomte's unfriendly eyes were fixed upon his face. "So! That is it! You--you----" The Vicomte moved a step forward, then checked himself. "Tell me, where is my wife at this instant?" Mr. Lovell could have told him, but he refrained. "I decline to give you any information of any kind whatever." "You decline?" The Vicomte raised his hand. He would have struck the artist. Mr. Warren interposed to avert the blow.