"Oh, if you're going to be good," she exclaimed, "I shall have nothing more to say to you. Here comes Mr. Thurston; I can make _him_ abuse the pictures. There! You had better go away to a young lady I see alone over yonder, though I don't know what you will do with _one_ alone." She laughed and shook her head in a way that had once been arch and lively, but that was now puckery and infirm--it is affecting to see these things in women--and welcomed the old gentleman who came up and superseded Colville. The latter turned, with his cup still in his hand, and wandered about through the company, hoping he might see Mrs. Bowen among the groups peering at the pictures or solidly blocking the view in front of them. He did not find her, but he found Imogene Graham standing somewhat apart near a window. He saw her face light up at sight of him, and then darken again as he approached. "Isn't this rather an unnatural state of things?" he asked when he had come up. "I ought to be obliged to fight my way to you through successive phalanxes of young men crowding round with cups of tea outstretched in their imploring hands. Have you had some tea?" "Thank you, no; I don't wish any," said the young girl, so coldly that he could not help noticing, though commonly he was man enough to notice very few things. "How is Effie to-day?" he asked quickly. "Oh, quite well," said Imogene. "I don't see Mrs. Bowen," he ventured further. "No," answered the girl, still very lifelessly; "I came with Mrs. Fleming." She looked about the room as if not to look at him. He now perceived a distinct intention to snub him. He smiled. "Have you seen the pictures? There are two or three really lovely ones." "Mrs. Fleming will be here in a moment, I suppose," said Imogene evasively, but not with all her first coldness. "Let us steal a march on her," said Colville briskly. "When she comes you can tell her that I showed you the pictures." "I don't know," faltered the girl. "Perhaps it isn't necessary you should," he suggested. She glanced at him with questioning trepidation. "The respective duties of chaperone and _protegee_ are rather undefined. Where the chaperone isn't there to command, the _protegee_ isn't there to obey. I suppose you'd know if you were at home?" "Oh yes!" "Let me imagine myself at a loan exhibition in Buffalo. Ah! that appeal is irresistible. You'll come, I see."