The old fellow would talk freely--politics, connoisseurship, art.

Fenwick too was allowed his head, and said his say; though always surrounded and sometimes chafing under that discipline of good society which is its only or its best justification.

It flattered his vanity enormously, however, to be thus within touch of the inner circle in politics and art; for the Findons had relations and friends in all the foremost groups of both; and incidentally Fenwick, who had the grudges and some of the dreams of the democrat, was beginning to have a glimpse of the hidden springs and powers of English society--to his no small bewilderment often! Great luck--he admitted--all this--for a nameless artist of the people, only six months in London.

He owed it to Cuningham, and believed himself grateful.

Cuningham was often at the Findons, made a point, indeed, of going.