Guinevere? Where was there a face that would realize his artist
dreams of her? The painting was half completed before he thought
of Valentine Charteris and her magnificent blonde beauty--the
very ideal of Queen Guinevere.

With renewed energy Ronald set to work. Every feature of that
perfect face was engraved upon his mind. He made sketch after
sketch, until, in its serene, sweet loveliness, Valentine's face
smiled upon him.


Chapter XI

"Queen Guinevere" was a success far beyond Ronald's dearest
hopes. Artists and amateurs, connoisseurs of all ranks and
degrees were delighted with it. The great charm of the picture
was the lovely young face. "Whom was it like? Where had he
found his model?" "Was ever any woman so perfectly beautiful?:"
Such were the questions that people never seemed tired of
repeating.

The picture was hung in the gallery of the palace, and the Prince
di Borgezi became one of Ronald's best patrons.

The prince gave a grand ball in honor of a beautiful English
lady, who, with her family, had just arrived in Florence.
Countess Rosali raved about her, wisely making a friend where any
one else would have feared a rival.

Ronald had contrived an invitation, but was prevented from