Before they came to the house, Valentine caught one glimpse of a pretty, pale face with large dark eyes.

Could that be pretty, smiling Dora?
There were the shining rings of dark hair; but where were the smiles Ronald had described?
That was not a happy face.
Care and sorrow were in every line of it.
They were told that Mr.Thorne was in his studio, and would see them there.

They had sent no card, and Ronald believed the "two ladies" to have called on some business connected with pictures.

He started with surprise when Lady Charteris and Valentine entered.

There were a few words of confused greeting, a hurried explanation of the circumstances that led Sir Hugh to Florence; and then Valentine looked long and steadily at the only man she had ever cared for.