Page:The Tragic Muse (London & New York, Macmillan & Co., 1890), Volume 2.djvu/103

Rh "Married—really? So he paints her, I suppose?"

"Not much, probably. His talent in that line isn't what she esteems in him most."

"It isn't great, then?"

"I haven't the least idea."

"And in the political line?"

"I scarcely can tell. He's very clever."

"He does paint then?"

"I dare say."

Miriam looked at Gérôme's picture again. "Fancy his going into the House of Commons! And your sister put him there?"

"She worked, she canvassed."

"Ah, you're a queer family!" the girl exclaimed, turning round at the sound of a step.

"We're lost—here's Mademoiselle Voisin," said Sherringham.

This celebrity presented herself smiling and addressing Miriam. "I acted for you to-night—I did my best."

"What a pleasure to speak to you, to thank you! "the girl murmured, admiringly. She was startled and dazzled.

"I couldn't come to you before, but now I've got a rest—for half an hour," the actress went on. Gracious and passive, as if she were a little tired, she let Sherringham, without looking at him, take her hand and raise it to his lips. "I'm sorry I make you lose the others—they are so good in this act," she added.

"We have seen them before, and there's nothing so good as you," Miriam replied.