Laura flashed a dubious look at him. She was not quite sure that she approved of the tone in which he said “Ask Justin.” Almost it seemed as if he implied superiority—a mutual acknowledgement of superiority to Justin.... Cheek!... She waited for Justin to assert himself. But Justin was absorbed in her drawing. “It’s quite good, isn’t it?” he said to Oliver with an air of gratified surprise. “Oh, quite good.” And this time the tone was so unmistakable that Laura reddened angrily. She got up abruptly and joined them. “Though I haven’t got a nose like that. That I’ll swear.” Justin rubbed the original thoughtfully. Oliver grinned. “No. That’s Cæsar’s beak. But you could have if you tried. Isn’t that the idea, Laura? _No work done, but great works undone._ You make her tear it up, Justin. It isn’t fair.” And then, as Laura made a movement to obey him, “Here, what are you doing? This masterpiece is my perquisite.” “Look here, Oliver, I won’t have Laura ragged.” Justin had caught sight of her vexed face. “Don’t you worry, Laura. It isn’t half bad for a beginner. Tons better than I thought you could.” Oliver went off into one of his fits of laughter. “_Oh, Waring, what’s to be really be?_” he chanted. “And the next article, please? I’m sorry, Justin. It’s Browning’s split infinitive, not mine.” “Isn’t he a fool?” demanded Justin, beaming at him. “He’s worse. He’s a clever fool,” said Laura darkly. Oliver blew her a kiss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XVI Laura, in the days that followed, could not make up her mind about Oliver: did not know what had come over him. She had always intended him to like her, though there was something in his temperament that must always prevent her from heartily liking him in her turn, good friends as they were; but she wished sometimes that he were less enthusiastic a champion. He was not satisfied with liking her: he published her abroad. He paid attention to her every trivial remark: she had known him to stop Justin himself in the middle of a sentence to listen to what she said. It was getting beyond a joke, you know.... And ever since that unlucky morning in the studio, he had raved about her work, calling heaven and earth and Justin to observe as remarkable a talent as ever lay snug and shameless in its napkin.