The portrait went on towards completion. Instead of painting a head, as was originally suggested, Whistler painted a full-length figure seated upon a little sofa, the entire composition being quite as elaborate an interior as if the canvas had been five times the size. The picture was about fourteen to sixteen inches long by five or six inches high, and was such an exquisite bit of the painter’s art that a representative of a public gallery, who did not know that it was a commission, offered for it twelve hundred dollars, and higher offers were made. Sir William Eden did not again refer to the price, although he had many opportunities; but on February 14, St. Valentine’s day, the baronet visited the studio and expressed himself as delighted with the picture. On taking leave, he informed Mr. Whistler that he was about to start for India on a hunting-tour, and, taking an envelope from his pocket, he handed it to the artist. “Here is a valentine for you. Look at it after I have gone. Don’t bother about it just now.” When the artist opened his “valentine,” he found a check for one hundred guineas,--the minimum amount mentioned in his letter. The baronet had taken it upon himself to fix the price of the picture on the eve of his departure. The “valentine” read as follows: “4 RUE DE PRESBOURG, PARIS, February 14, 1894. “DEAR MR. WHISTLER: Herewith your valentine,--cheque value one hundred guineas. The picture will always be of inestimable value to me, and will be handed down as an heirloom as long as heirlooms last. “I shall always look with pleasure to the painting of it,--and, with thanks, remain “Yours sincerely, “WILLIAM EDEN.” To which Whistler immediately replied: “110 RUE DU BAC, PARIS, February 14. “MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM: I have your valentine. You really are magnificent, and have scored all round. “I can only hope that the little picture will prove even slightly worthy of all of us, and I rely on Lady Eden’s amiable promise to let me add the few last touches we know of. She has been so courageous and kind all along in doing her part. “With best wishes again for your journey, “Very faithfully, “J. MCNEILL WHISTLER.” From the legal point of view Whistler made the mistake of not immediately returning the check for one hundred guineas, and the additional mistake of exhibiting the picture in the Salon of the Champ de Mars in the spring of 1894, as No. 1187, under the title of “Brown and Gold. Portrait of Lady E----.” But ultimately the one hundred guineas were returned, and the baronet brought suit to secure the possession of the picture.