“You look like a sort of a `Winged Victory’ up there,” he said, “with the wind blowing your skirts about and your hair coming down.”

“I don’t remember that the `Winged Victory’ has any hair to blow about,” suggested Miss Morris.

“I’d like to paint you,” continued Carlton, “just as you are standing now, only I would put you in a Greek dress; and you could stand a Greek dress better than almost any one I know.  I would paint you with your head up and one hand shielding your eyes, and the other pressed against your breast.  It would be stunning.”  He spoke enthusiastically, but in quite an impersonal tone, as though he were discussing the posing of a model.

Miss Morris jumped down from the low wall on which she had been standing, and said, simply, “Of course I should like to have you paint me very much.”

Mrs. Downs looked up with interest to see if Mr. Carlton was serious.

“When?” said Carlton, vaguely.  “Oh, I don’t know.  Of course this is entirely too nice to last, and you will be going home soon, and then when I do get back to the States you will—­you will have other things to do.”

“Yes,” repeated Miss Morris, “I shall have something else to do besides gazing out at the AEgean Sea.”  She raised her head and looked across the rock for a moment with some interest.  Her eyes, which had grown wistful, lighted again with amusement.  “Here are your friends,” she said, smiling.

“No!” exclaimed Carlton, scrambling to his feet.

“Yes,” said Miss Morris.  “The Duke has seen us, and is coming over here.”

When Carlton had gained his feet and turned to look, his friends had separated in different directions, and were strolling about alone or in pairs among the great columns of the Parthenon.  But the Duke came directly towards them, and seated himself on a low block of marble in front of the two ladies.  After a word or two about the beauties of the place, he asked if they would go to the reception which the King gave to him on the day following.  They answered that they should like to come very much, and the Prince expressed his satisfaction, and said that he would see that the chamberlain sent them invitations.  “And you, Mr. Carlton, you will come also, I hope.  I wish you to be presented to my sisters.  They are only amateurs in art, but they are great admirers of your work, and they have rebuked me for not having already presented you.  We were all disappointed,” he continued, courteously, “at not having you to dine with us that night in Constantinople, but now I trust I shall see something of you here.  You must tell us what we are to admire.”

“That is very easy,” said Carlton.  “Everything.”

“You are quite right,” said the Prince, bowing to the ladies as he moved away.  “It is all very beautiful.”

“Well, now you certainly will meet her,” said Miss Morris.

“Oh no, I won’t,” said Carlton, with resignation.  “I have had two chances and lost them, and I’ll miss this one too.”