He ran after the dog whenever it escaped from the lady's lap and threatened mischief in the studio; and by way of amusing her--the purpose for which he had been imported--he kept up a stream of small cryptic gossip about various common acquaintances, most of whom seemed to belong to the music-hall profession, and to be either "stars" or the satellites of "stars." Madame listened to him with avidity, and occasionally broke into a giggling laugh.

She had, however, two manners, and two kinds of conversation, which she adopted with the young man and the Academician respectively.

Her talk with the youth suggested the jealous ascendency of a coarse-minded woman.

She occasionally flattered him, but more generally she teased or "ragged" him.

She seemed indeed to feel him securely in her grip; so that there was no need to pose for him, as--figuratively as well as physically--she posed for Bentley.