On the day that was to open the closed door in the background of his pictures of Alice, Russell lunched with his relatives.

There were but the four people, Russell and Mildred and her mother and father, in the great, cool dining-room.

Arched French windows, shaded by awnings, admitted a mellow light and looked out upon a green lawn ending in a long conservatory, which revealed through its glass panes a carnival of plants in luxuriant blossom.

From his seat at the table, Russell glanced out at this pretty display, and informed his cousins that he was surprised.

"You have such a glorious spread of flowers all over the house," he said, "I didn't suppose you'd have any left out yonder.