MR. B. Well, yes. I assure you I often go to a Gallery, see a picture there that takes my fancy, go back to my office, and paint it in half an hour from memory--so like the original that, if it were framed, and hung up alongside, it would puzzle the man who painted it to know t'other from which! I have indeed! I paint original pictures, too. Most important thing I ever did was--let me see now--three feet by two and three-quarters. I was most successful in getting an effect of rose-coloured snow against the sky. I sponged it up, and--well, it came right somehow. _Luck_, that was, not skill, you know. I sent that picture to the Royal Academy, and they did me the honour to--ar--reject it. CULCH. (_vaguely_). An--er--honour, indeed.--(_In despair, as_ MR. B. _rises._)--You----You're not _going!_ MR. B. (_consolingly_). Only into the garden, for coffee. I observe you are interested in Art. We will--ar--resume this conversation later. [_Rises_; MISS PRENDERGAST _rises too, and goes towards the garden._ CULCH. (_as he follows, hastily_). I must get this business over--if I can. But I wish I knew exactly _how_ much to tell her. It's really very awkward--between the two of them. I'm afraid I've been a little too precipitate. IN THE GARDEN; A FEW MINUTES LATER. MISS PREND. (_who has retired to fetch her glasses--with gracious playfulness_). Well, Mr. Culchard, and how has my knight performed his lady's behests? CULCH. May I ask _which_ knight you refer to? MISS P. (_slightly changing countenance_). Which! Then--you know there is another? Surely there is nothing in that circumstance to--to offend--or hurt you? CULCH. Offended? (_Considers whether this would be a good line to take._) Hardly _that_. Hurt? Well, I confess to being pained--very much pained, to discover that I was unconsciously pitted--against Podbury! MISS P. But why? I have expressed no preference as yet. You can scarcely have become so attached to him that you dread the result of a successful rivalry! CULCH. (_to himself_). It's a loop-hole--I'll try it. (_Aloud._) You have divined my feeling exactly. In--er--obeying your commands, I have learned to know Podbury better--to see in him a sterling nature, more worthy, in some respects, than my own. And I know how deeply he has centred all his hopes upon you, Miss Prendergast. Knowing, seeing that as I--er--_do_, I feel that--whatever it costs me--I cannot run the risk of wrecking the--er--life's happiness of so good a fellow. So you must really allow me to renounce vows accepted under--er--an imperfect comprehension of the--er--facts! [_Wipes his brow._ MISS P. This is quite too Quixotic. Reflect, Mr. Culchard. Is such a sacrifice demanded of you? I assure you I am perfectly neutral at present. I _might_ prefer Mr. Podbury. I _really_ don't know. And--and I don't _like_ losing one of my suitors like this!