There was no reason whatever why the engagement should not be announced at once, and in consequence congratulations descended within the half hour. Mrs. Home was a little tearful, with tears of loving happiness on behalf of her son, which seemed something of a weakness to Lady Ellington; Tom Merivale was delighted in a sort of faraway manner that other people should be happy; Evelyn Dundas alone, in spite of his previous preparation for the news, felt somehow slightly pulled up. For with his complete and instinctive surrender to every mood of the moment, he had permitted himself to take great pleasure in the contemplation--it was really hardly more than that--of Madge's beauty, and he felt secretly, for no shadow obscured the genuineness of his congratulations, a certain surprise and sense of being ill-used. He was not the least in love with Madge, but even in so short a time they had fallen into ways of comradeship, and her engagement, he felt, curtailed the liberties of that delightful relationship. And again this evening, having cut out of a bridge table, he wandered with her in the perfect dusk. Lady Ellington this time observed their exit, but cheerfully permitted it; no harm could be done now. It received, in fact, her direct and conscious sanction, since Philip had suggested to Madge that Evelyn should paint her portrait. He knew that Evelyn was more than willing to do so, and left the arrangement of sitting to sitter and artist. In point of fact, it was this subject that occupied the two as they went out. "We shall be in London for the next month, Mr. Dundas," Madge was saying, "and of course I will try to suit your convenience. It is so good of you to say you will begin it at once." Evelyn's habitual frankness did not desert him. "Ah, I must confess, then," he said. "It isn't at all good of me. You see, I want to paint you, and I believe I can. And I will write to-morrow to a terrible railway director to say that in consequence of a subsequent engagement I cannot begin the--the delineation of his disgusting features for another month." Madge laughed; as is the way of country-house parties, the advance in intimacy had been very rapid. "Oh, that would be foolish," she said. "Delineate his disgusting features if you have promised. My disgusting features will wait." "Ah, but that is just what they won't do," said Evelyn. "Do you mean they will go bad, like meat in hot weather? Thank you so much." "My impression will go bad," said he. "No, I must paint you at once. Besides"--and still he was perfectly frank--"besides Philip is, I suppose, my oldest friend. He has asked me to do it, and friendship comes before cheques." They walked in silence a little while. "I am rather nervous," said Madge. "I watched you painting this afternoon for a bit." "Oh, a silly sketch," said he, "flowers, terrace, woods behind; it was only a study for a background."