"The sad part of the affair is that it is the girl who is more likely to turn my head. Her own is far too well screwed on." "Upon my word, I believe you! Well, then, innocent of thirty-five, don't be beguiled into idiocy by this competent _séductrice_ of twenty-two!--If you were forty-five there would be no hope for you, but a glimmer of sanity may remain in the thirties!" "She _is_ attractive, Seraphim--and will love to see the pictures. She says she wants to learn about art and literature--and kindred things." "And you have offered to teach her?" Mr. Strobridge put on a modest air, while his humorous grey eyes met his aunt's merrily. "I have applied for the post of tutor--with no salary attached." "She won't put up with inefficiency; you will have to keep your wits at high-water mark, then." "I feel that." "Well, G., perhaps you deserve a treat. The Christmas entertainment I had provided for you in the way of Läo fell rather flat, did it not!" "One grows tired of soufflé." "Yes, but do not forget that more substantial food can cause shocking indigestion, unless partaken of with moderation." "Heavens, Seraphim! I am no gourmand!" "Gerard, my dear boy--you are at a stage of hunger, I fear, when intelligence may not guide discretion. You see, Nature is apt to break out after years of artificial repression." "We are overcivilised, I admit." At that moment, the luncheon-gong sounded and they both rose from their chairs. Lady Garribardine slipped her fat hand into her nephew's arm, as they went down the stairs. "G.--I leave the afternoon to you--only don't burn your fingers irretrievably; this young woman is no fool like poor Läo. I look upon her as a rather marvellous product of the twentieth century." CHAPTER XVII After lunch the two in the picture gallery passed a perfectly delightful half-hour. Mr. Strobridge had sagacity enough to know that he must stick loyally to art, and indeed after the first few minutes he found he was carried away himself, his listener was so interested, and gave such intelligent response. He almost began to believe that she had really come there to learn something; and not to flirt with himself! Her taste also surprised him, and her want of all pose. She wrote systematically the reflections he made as to the condition of the canvases. "It is a great thing to learn how to look at pictures," she said when they halted before a particularly primitive Madonna. "Of course I could not have seen anything to admire in this if I had come by myself, and I do not suppose that I shall ever be able really to appreciate it--except the colour--because there is something in me which likes the real so much better than the ideal; I like prose far more than poetry, for instance." "Will you let me come up again to the schoolroom and read to you some day?" "I should like that very much." "I would try to make you love poetry; you are endeavouring to convince me that you are a very material young woman, you know!"