"I have very little interest in photography, especially amateur
photography," replied Miss Sommerton, with a partial return of her old
reserve.

"Oh, I don't wish to make an amateur photographer of you. You sketch
very nicely, and--"

"How do you know that?" asked Miss Sommerton, turning quickly towards
him: "you have never seen any of my sketches."

"Ah, well," stammered Trenton, "no--that is--you know--are not those
water-colours in Mason's house yours?"

"Mr. Mason has some of my sketches. I didn't know you had seen them."

"Well, as I was saying," continued Trenton, "I have no desire to convert
you to the beauties of amateur photography. I admit the results in many
cases are very bad. I am afraid if you saw the pictures I take myself
you would not be much in love with the art. But what I wish to say is in
mitigation of my refusal to destroy the plate when you asked me to."

"Oh, I beg you will not mention that, or refer to anything at all I have
said to you. I assure you it pains me very much, and you know I have
apologised once or twice already."

"Oh, it isn't that. The apology should come from me; but I thought I
would like to explain why it is that I did not take your picture, as you
thought I did."