Netta wants me to frame it." Clinton got up and took a book from a cupboard.

Merefleet was watching him with strained eyes.

His heart was thumping as if it would choke him.
He rose as Clinton laid the picture before him, and steadied himself unconsciously by his friend's shoulder.
Clinton glanced at him in some surprise.
"Hullo!" he said.

"A friend of yours, was she?
My dear fellow, I'm sorry.
I didn't know." But Merefleet hung over the picture with fascinated eyes.

And his answer came with a curiously strained laugh, that somehow rang exultant.
"Yes, a friend of mine, old chap," he said.