Phyllys gave the speaker a reproachful glance; then turned to Colin. He submitted, but not as if obliged to do so. She noticed a curious reticent dignity in his manner. She met his eyes—blue depths, full of expression—and wondered whom he recalled. The hidden picture flashed up before her mind, and she forgot the question of music, gazing at him. Somebody else gazed also. Mr. Dugdale's remark might have been an echo of her thoughts. "Odd! That look again!" "'Isn't' he like?" Phyllys all but said. The words were on her lips when she remembered that she had undertaken not to allude to the picture, and that nobody except herself and Mrs. Keith was supposed to be aware of its existence. Yet plainly Mr. Dugdale was aware! What could Mrs. Keith have meant? "Extraordinary!" continued the cool tones. "I've not taken a look at the old portrait for ages: but my memory is good. Colin brings it back." "I don't understand," Colin said. "The old painting in a corner of the gallery—used to hang in this room. You've developed an astonishing resemblance to it." Mrs. Keith stood listening, her face hard set; her fingers clutched about her fan. "You had that fancy before," she said. "Utterly ridiculous!" For once she made a mistake. Had she acquiesced, the matter might have dropped. Opposition made Mr. Dugdale eager to prove his point. "We'll compare him with the original. Come, Colin." Colin did not stir. "Another time," he suggested. "Oh, ah! I forgot your head. Well, I'll take a look myself. Never can imagine why that picture should have been banished to the darkest corner in the house!" he muttered as he went—not the first time he had made such a remark. He was gone for some time, and Mrs. Keith moved restlessly, as if unable to sit still. Phyllys thought her looking old and haggard, and her mouth had a drawn look. No further mention was made of music; and when Mr. Dugdale returned, he said bluntly—"Been moved again! Where, pray?" "The portrait not there?" asked Giles in surprise. "Not that I can discover. I've looked all round." "But of course it is there!" exclaimed Mrs. Keith, facing him indignantly. "It has not been moved." "Not taken from the corner!" "Certainly not! Unless Giles—" Giles made a negative gesture. "Of course I could not tell. Giles might have moved it, unknown to me. I have had no authority here for years." She spoke with a hard laugh. "It was in its usual corner not long ago," observed Giles. "I remember seeing it." "It is not there now," stated Mr. Dugdale in his most dogmatic manner. "You are sure you have not overlooked it!" "Come and see for yourself," and the two went off. Mrs. Keith sat down. "How hot it is! I should like the window open." Phyllys started up, but was forestalled by Colin. He remained at the casement, as if thankful for outer air. Mrs. Keith moved again, wandering to the further end of the room.