Young Quentin had made a fine portrait.

The model was his mistress, and, soon after the bust was finished, she became his wife.
Naturally, Sir Spencer and Lady Ogram were not bidden to the wedding; in fact, they knew nothing about it until a couple of years after, when, on the birth to him of a son and heir, Quentin took his courage in both hands and went down to Rivenoak to make the confession.

He avowed somewhat less than the truth, finding it quite task enough to mitigate the circumstances of Mrs.Ogram's birth and breeding.

The exhibition of a portrait paved his way.

This superbly handsome creature, adorned as became her present and prospective station, assuredly gave no shock at the first glance.