Marchmont was graciously pleased to approve of the sittings, and to give them much more frequently than they desired the pleasure of his company while those sittings were going on. He was aware that Minna, though visiting very little, did so of her own choice, and that she could, had she so wished, have been a constant guest in some of the most coveted society in Rome. For this reason, if for no other, he approved. He was also fully conscious that she disliked him more than words could express, and that it was only for Fulvia’s sake that he was tolerated in these rooms; so, true to his type, he experienced all the more pleasure in presenting himself repeatedly, and behaving as one who was quite at his ease, boasting, swaggering, and patronizing everyone and everything he came in contact with. They were uncomfortable hours to Minna, those which this creature passed in her sanctum; it was only Fulvia’s quiet but intense gratitude which gave her the patience to continue to receive him. One morning, when they were all three together, her friend Mrs. Charrington called, came into the studio and sat down. Minna, with great presence of mind, introduced her two visitors--Mr. Marchmont, Signorina Dietrich. Marchmont, who had never yet succeeded in getting an invitation to one of Mrs. Charrington’s evenings, and who was convinced that it was entirely owing to the fact that he had so far not made her acquaintance and been able to show her how delightful he was, exhausted himself in attempts to be ingratiatingly polite. With each ill-contrived effort he merely roused more thoroughly the complete contempt of the cool-headed woman of the world, who never for a moment betrayed her utter disdain of him--never for a moment allowed him to gain the faintest shred of a vantage-ground or possibility of approaching her any nearer. She replied with indifferent glacial politeness and a smile to everything that he said, and she would certainly cut him dead next time she met him in the Corso or on the Pincian Hill. She measured Fulvia from head to foot with calm, self-possessed, open curiosity and interest, and looked from her to the bust of her which was in progress, put up her eyeglass, and said: ‘Brava, Minna! You certainly have a talent, if not a genius, for portraiture. That is simply admirable. You have a charming model also--an inspiration in herself.’ She smiled with conventional sweetness, and bowed towards Fulvia, who fixed her large eyes upon her with serious, inquiring earnestness, and did not seem either fluttered or confused, pleased or displeased, by the notice thus bestowed upon her. ‘Come and have tea with me this afternoon,’ said Mrs. Charrington to Minna, as she rose to go. ‘Thank you, but----’ ‘“But me no buts.” If not this afternoon, which? Or, if you can’t or won’t come to me, tell me when I may come to you. I came not merely to discharge myself of an invitation, but to see that something definite was arranged, because I wish to see you.’