"You are quite right, Professor," I exclaimed warmly; "and Adelaide will be grateful for your consideration."
At this juncture the girls trooped in and took their places at their easels, and Professor Waite laid the picture in the great chest in front of our door. The correction of work went on as usual until the latter part of the hour, when an ominous knock was heard at the door, and Madame, accompanied by Miss Noakes, sailed majestically into the room. Professor Waite bowed deeply and expressed himself as highly honored. Madame lifted her lorgnette and surveyed the class. Milly was posing in her despised Italian costume. Madame smiled kindly at her, and then passed about from easel to easel examining the girls' work. "I do not know whether it is exactly the thing for the young ladies to allow themselves to be painted in this way," she said, "though to be sure the studies are hardly recognizable as likenesses."
"The young ladies have all asked the permission of their parents to sit for each other," Professor Waite explained.
"For each other," Madame repeated doubtfully; "but do you never make sketches of them also, Professor? A parent might well object to having his daughter's portrait exhibited in a public place, sold to a stranger, or even shown among studies of professional models in your studio."
"I have made no studies from life from any of the young ladies," Professor Waite replied promptly.
Miss Noakes drew a long breath and seemed to bristle with anticipated triumph.
"I am glad that you can assure me of this," Madame replied in her softest, most purring accents. Then she glanced around the room again and asked, "Are all of the art students present? I do not see Miss Armstrong."
"Miss Armstrong has not honoured me by joining the class," Professor Waite replied stiffly.
"But she at least sits for the others, does she not? She is such a strikingly picturesque girl, I should think you would ask her."
"We have asked her," Milly replied, "but she is just as obstinate as she can be. I wish, Madame, you would make her."
Madame shook her little wiry curls. "This is a matter which must be left entirely to individual preference, my dear. It would be very wrong, indeed, for any of you to make a portrait of Miss Armstrong without her consent. I have known young amateur photographers to lay themselves open to an action at law by taking photographs of people without their knowledge. Our personality is a very sacred thing, and whoever possesses himself of that without warrant commits a dishonorable action."