CHAPTER 2.VIII.
It was better not to inquire, so I never knew to what extent Kauffer worked upon the vanity of ancient houses the sinful dodge I suggested to him; but I heard before long that the line of Armour's rejected efforts had been considerably diminished.

Armour told me himself that Kauffer's attitude had become almost conciliatory, that Kauffer had even hinted at the acceptance of, and adhesion to, certain principles which he would lay down as the basis of another year's contract.

In talking to me about it, Armour dwelt on these absurd stipulations only as the reason why any idea of renewal was impossible.

It was his proud theory with me that to work for a photographer was just as dignified as to produce under any other conditions, provided you did not stoop to ideals which for lack of a better word might be called photographic.

How he represented it to Dora, or permitted Dora to represent it to him, I am not so certain--I imagine there may have been admissions and qualifications.