"Then for his sake you will promise to come as often as I wish you
to," was his eager response, and it was so eager that she looked
up at him in surprise.
"Really, Mr. Van Berg, I am becoming bewildered as to what that
little sketch I asked you to make may involve."
"Will it be so wearisome for you to come here?" he asked, with a
look of disappointment that surprised her still more.
"I didn't say that," was her quick reply; "and I promise to come
to-morrow. Perhaps you will find that sufficient."
"I know it won't be sufficient."
"Cousin Ik has told me that you are very painstaking and conscientious
in your work."
"Thanks to Cousin Ik. When I get a chance to paint such a picture
as this I do, indeed, wish to make the most of it."
"But how long must Mr. Eltinge wait for it?"
"I think we can send it to him as a Christmas present."
"We? You, rather, will send it."
"No, WE; or rather, in giving me the sittings you give Mr. Eltinge
all that makes the picture valuable to him."
Ida's cheeks began to burn, for the artist's words suggested a
powerful temptation that; in accordance with her impetuous nature,
came in the form of an impulse rather than an insidious and lurking
thought.
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