"Ah, I can't have that," said Philip quickly. "That is Evelyn all over. There never was such an unthinking, generous fellow. But it is quite impossible. Why, it would mean a sixth part of his year's income." "I know; I felt that." Philip laughed rather perplexedly. "I really don't know what is to be done with him," he said. "Last year he gave my mother a beautiful pearl brooch. That sort of thing is so embarrassing. And if she had not accepted it, he would have been quite capable of throwing it into the Thames. Indeed he threatened to do so. And he will be equally capable of throwing his cheque into the fire." "All the same, I like it enormously," she said; "his impulse, I mean." "I know, but it offends my instincts as a man of business. I might just as well refuse to charge interest on loans. However, I will see what I can do." They went in again soon after this, for it was growing late, and found Lady Ellington preparing to leave the table of her very complete conquests. It had fallen to Evelyn to provide her with a no-trump hand containing four aces, and she was disposed to be gracious. The news, furthermore, that he would begin her daughter's portrait at once was gratifying to her, and she was anxious that the sittings should begin at once. As both they and he would be in town for the next month, the matter was easily settled, and it was arranged that the thing should be put in hand immediately. Philip followed Evelyn to the billiard-room as soon as the women went upstairs, and found him alone there. "The Hermit has gone to commune with Nature," he said. "He will die of natural causes if he doesn't look out. He called me a Pagan this morning, Philip. Wasn't it rude? And the fact that it is true seems to me to make it ruder." Philip lit his cigarette. "I'm going to be rude too, old chap," said he. "Evelyn, you really mustn't make a present of the portrait to Madge and me. It is awfully good of you, and just like you, but I simply couldn't accept it." Evelyn shrugged his shoulders. "Then there will be no portrait at all," he said shortly. "I tell you I won't paint it as an order." Philip held out his hand. "I appreciate it tremendously," he said. "It is most awfully good of you. But it's your profession. Hullo, here's the Hermit back." Tom Merivale entered at this moment. "Aren't we going to sit out to-night?" he said. Evelyn rose. "Yes, let's go out," he said. "Well, Philip, not a line will I draw unless you take it. Or I'll give it to Miss Ellington and not you." "You really musn't," said Philip. "But don't you see I want to paint her? I said so to you only the other day. Hang it all, I tell you that I do it for pleasure. I shall also be the vast gainer artistically. I've got an idea about her, in fact, and if you don't let me paint her I shall do it from memory, in which case it will not be so good." An idea struck Philip. "Well, paint me as well," he said, "and let me pay you for that." Evelyn followed Tom out.