But the opportunity had not yet arrived.

She did not wish to ask before the others.

There are some secrets that we involuntarily respect, while we only know that they are secrets.
The more Arthur Merlin saw of Hope Wayne the more delighted he was to think how impossible it was for him, in view of his profound devotion to his art, to think of beautiful women in any other light than that of picturesque subjects.
"Really, Mr.Newt," Arthur said to him one evening as they were dining together at Delmonico's--which was then in William Street--"if I were to paint a picture of Diana when she loved Endymion--a picture, by-the-by, which I intend to paint--I should want to ask Miss Wayne to sit to me for the principal figure.

It is really remarkable what a subdued splendor there is about her--Diana blushing, you know, as it were--the moon delicately veiled in cloud.

It would be superb, I assure you." Lawrence Newt smiled--he often smiled--as he wiped his mouth, and asked, "Who would you ask to sit for Endymion ?" "Well, let me see," replied Arthur, cheerfully, and pondering as if to determine who was exactly the man.