Stanwell was sure that the sculptor
would take no one into his confidence, and least of all his sister,
whose faith in his artistic independence was the chief prop of that
tottering pose. Kate's penetration was not great, and Stanwell
recalled the incredulous smile with which she had heard him defend
poor Mungold's "sincerity" against Caspar's assaults; but she had
the insight of the heart, and where her brother's happiness was
concerned she might have seen deeper than any of them. It was this
last consideration which took the strongest hold on Stanwell--he
felt Caspar's sufferings chiefly through the thought of his sister's
possible disillusionment.
IV
WITHIN three months two events had set the studio building talking.
Stanwell had painted a full-length portrait of Mrs. Archer
Millington, and Caspar Arran had received an order to execute his
group in marble.
The name of the sculptor's patron had not been divulged. The order
came through Shepson, who explained that an American customer living
abroad, having seen a photograph of the group in one of the papers,
had at once cabled home to secure it.
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