Morley Roberts

“ Yet there was a certain satirical aspect about the face which suggested that the sitter had said to the artist, “Get below the surface, if you can,” for Hale's aspect was rarely satirical.
He had achieved success by a splendid and kindly simplicity which was often boyish; his laughter rang true. His bright eyes and unwrinkled brow spoke, to all appearance, nothing but the truth. But perhaps, the painter had succeeded, after all. ”

“ CHAPTER II. As half Lady Hale's house was shut up and the drawing-room swathed in white, she and Felicia St. John sat in the library. It was an admirable room, with a big window looking on the park. Over the fireplace was a portrait of Sir George which had been painted by Sedgwick. For once, perhaps, the infinite penetration of that painter had been at fault. The technique was admirable; the brushwork a joy to the connoisseur ”

“ Out of the next drawer Felicia got some cracked golf-balls, a box of water-colors, together with a Russian grammar, the earthenware bowl of a Turkish narghile, a railway door-key, and a pair of socks. As she named each article successively Lady Hale nodded. But when Felicia came to the pair of socks she started. ”