It appeared that Stanwell had also been paid in advance, and well
paid; for he began to permit himself various mild distractions, in
which he generally contrived to have the Arrans share. It seemed
perfectly natural to Kate that Caspar's friends should spend their
money for his recreation, and by one of the most touching
sophistries of her sex she thus reconciled herself to the anomaly of
taking a little pleasure on her own account. Mungold was less often
in the way, for she had never been able to forgive him for proposing
that Caspar should do Mrs. Millington's Cupids; and for a few
radiant weeks Stanwell had the undisputed enjoyment of her pride in
her brother's achievement.
Stanwell had "rushed through" Mrs. Millington's portrait in time for
the opening of her new ball-room; and it was perhaps in return for
this favour that she consented to let the picture be exhibited at a
big Portrait Show which was held in April for the benefit of a
fashionable charity.
In Mrs. Millington's ball-room the picture had been seen and
approved only by the distinguished few who had access to that social
sanctuary; but on the walls of the exhibition it became a centre of
comment and discussion.
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