"What rubbish!" cried Geoff encouragingly, putting his hands on Jack's shoulders and giving them an affectionate squeeze. Then pushing him back into the vacated seat: "Whatever should you go home for? You can think quite as well here, you dear old duffer, and we can help you. I'm awfully sorry about Winborough, though I know that does no good, does it? But look here, Jack. I know a few other people of public interest. We'll find someone else quite as good for our purpose to fill the breach. I'll see to it for you. Now, who shall it be? What about----" But before he could make any suggestion Pallister interposed eagerly. "I say, what about himself, Jackie, my boy? Since he is going to do such a romantic story-bookish thing as marry the most beautiful model alive, it will make him a far more interesting person than old Winborough has been for many a year. If you could sculpt a bust of Miss Stornway also, so that you could exhibit the two together at the Academy or somewhere--why, everybody would be planking down their shilling just to see your work; your name would be in everybody's mouth; orders would come rolling in; you'd make your reputation in a day. Now, isn't that a brilliant idea of mine? We're always forgetting the little fact that Geoff really is an important person. But he is, you know, both as the rising great artist and as a future peer." Jack hardly waited for the conclusion of this speech before he interposed. There was already a fresh note of hope in his voice. "It's perfectly true--it is indeed. Not all that talk about orders rolling in and reputations made in a day. I know that sort of thing doesn't happen. But what he said about you, Geoff, was true. If you would only sit for me, it would be every whit as helpful as if Lord Winborough had done so. As you say, Pallister, even more valuable, as this marriage with Miss Stornway is quite certain to arouse interest. Will you consent?" The proposed victim laughed. "I didn't bargain for this," he declared. "Perhaps, after all, you had better go home, Jack, and do your thinking there, away from this young man and his brilliant ideas!" "So even you can't deny it is a splendid solution of the difficulty!" declared Pallister gleefully. Evidently Jack was of the same way of thinking. The sullen unhappy expression had entirely vanished from his features. "Please do, Geoff," he said very earnestly; and this proved all-sufficient. His friend gave the required promise without further hesitation. "But I must warn you," he went on, "that I am going away--out of England--very soon indeed. It may be several months before I can sit for you. Hadn't you better choose someone else, after all?" But Jack was adamant. "No indeed. But I can take a mask now, can't I? Then with its aid I can get well forward without you. You'll let me do it at once, won't you? Everything is ready." "Well, I don't know, I can't stop long. I've got to get down to the City."