Drene gazed at him incredulously, then, with a shrug:

"When do you want this thing started?"

"Now."

"I can't take it on now."

"I want a sketch pretty soon--the composition. You can have a model
of the chapel to--morrow. We went on with it as a speculation. Now
we've clinched the thing. When shall I send it up from the office?"

"I'll look it over, but--"

"And," interrupted Guilder, "you had better get that Miss White for
the Virgin--before she goes off somewhere out of reach."

Drene looked up somberly:

"I haven't kept in touch with her. I don't know what her engagements
may be."

"One of her engagements just now seems to be to go about with
Graylock," said Guilder.

Drene flushed, but said nothing.

"If he marries her," added Guilder, "as it's generally understood he
is trying to, the best sculptor's model in town is out of the
question. Better secure her now."