Lady Charteris came with Valentine, and remained with her during the long sittings, doing everything in her power to please and win the artist's timid wife.
The fair face, in its calm, Grecian beauty, grew upon the canvas.

Many a long hour, when Ronald was absent, Dora lingered over it.

The portrait had a strange fascination for her.

She dwelt upon every feature until, if the lips had opened and smiled a mocking smile at her, she would not have felt greatly surprised.

It was less a picture to her than a living, breathing reality.