Page:The Outcry (London, Methuen & Co., 1911).djvu/124

110 "Thank goodness! And our friends?"

"All playing tennis," she said—"save those who are sitting it out." To which she added, as to explain her return, "Mr. Crimble has gone?"

Lord John took upon him to say, "He's in the library, to which you addressed him—making discoveries."

"Not then, I hope," she smiled, "to our disadvantage!"

"To your very great honour and glory." Lord John clearly valued the effect he might produce. "Your Moretto of Brescia—do you know what it really and splendidly is?" And then as the girl, in her surprise, but wondered: "A Mantovano, neither more nor less. Ever so much more swagger."

"A Mantovano?" Lady Grace echoed, "Why, how tremendously jolly!"

Her father was struck. "Do you know the artist—of whom I had never heard?"

"Yes, something of the little that is known." And she rejoiced as her knowledge came to her. "He's a tremendous swell, because, great as he was, there are but seven proved examples"