Why did the shop catch fire?”“Something went wrong with her father’s ovens, I suppose. But it taught me a lesson which I’m passing on to you. Now. shall we look at the dresses?”There were rows of them. I found a peacock blue silk which I thought would tone in well with the sapphires. I asked if she would try it on so that I could see her in it.She was only too ready to, and when she had done so I decided it was just right.“That’s settled then. Tomorrow morning. Is nine too early?”“Nine-thirty,” she said; and I knew that she would be there.So began my acquaintance with the Princesse Marie Claude de Crespigny.It flourished quickly. She apparently liked my attitude to her moods.I neither complained nor was I subservient; I just maintained a cool indifference. I was there to paint a picture and I wanted to do it as well as I could. Over the first sitting we became quite friendly. She talked a great deal, which was what I wanted. There was something very appealing and feminine about her.
