Markham and Hermia laughed. They couldn't help it. She was too absurd.

"Oh, I hope you won't do that," pleaded Markham.

"I'm capable of unheard of cruelties to those who incur my
displeasure. I may even bring Miss Challoner in to call again."

Markham, protesting, followed them to the door.

"_Au revoir, Monsieur_," said the Countess.

Markham bowed in the general direction of the shadow in the hallway
into which Miss Challoner had vanished and then turned back and took up
his palette and brushes.


CHAPTER III

THE INEFFECTUAL AUNT

The two women had hardly reached the limousine before the vials of
Hermia's wrath were opened.

"What a dreadful person! Olga, how could you have stood him all the
while he painted you?"

"We made out very nicely, thank you."

"Hilda was right. He _is_ a gorilla. Do you know he never even