"Perfect," said Lorimer, who surveyed every detail, as if he had been superintending a rehearsal of one of his plays. "If I am successful to-day, this scene will be my _chef-d'oeuvre_." Dr. Templeton went to Dora's room and found her sleeping soundly. "She sleeps still," he said, as he rejoined the others; "do not let us disturb her. When she wakens, Hobbs is going to let me know, and I will go in and fetch her." They remained talking together in hushed tones for about twenty minutes. Hobbs opened the door, and made a sign to signify that the patient was awake. Immediately Dr. Templeton rose and went to the bedroom, while Lorimer lowered the blinds and darkened the studio, so that nothing could be clearly distinguished. Philip again took up his position at the easel. "As soon as ever the room gets lighter, work away at the picture, so as to give the impression that you are finishing it, and take no notice of anything else around you.... Hush, I think I hear her coming!" Sounds were heard coming from Dora's room. The door was opened slowly. "Now then, attention!" whispered Lorimer, "and quite steady, please, as the photographers say." The doctor led in Dora, followed by Hobbs. "How dark it is!" said Dora; "have I slept a long while? Mr. Lorimer is gone, I suppose?" Lorimer was watching from behind a screen the working out of his stratagem. "Dear Mrs. Grantham," said Dr. Templeton, "I am going to make a particular request of you. I want to try an experiment. Just to please me, would you mind taking this palette and these brushes, and seating yourself in front of that easel?" The reader remembers that Dora had placed, side by side, in her poor room, the two easels that had so stood in Philip's studio. "It is not exactly a favour I ask, it is a prescription that I have great faith in for you, and that may have great results--I beg of you!" "Why, of course, with pleasure," said Dora, allowing herself to be drawn towards the second easel. "Now, mix your colours and prepare to do some painting." "But what shall I mix?" demanded Dora; "I am only too willing to obey." "Oh, never mind what--I am making a little experiment with you--that is all; I will tell you later on more about it--come, you can't refuse me. "But, my dear doctor, the room is too dark; I cannot see; is it evening already?" "You are right. I will give you some more light." Little by little, the doctor raised the blind. Philip did not stir. Faithful to his instructions, as soon as the light was let in, he began assiduously using his brush. Dora, languid and ignoring all that was taking place around her, was mechanically mixing her colours, while waiting for Dr. Templeton to tell her that he had finished his experiment, and that she might rise from her seat. The room was now quite light.