Page 4 of A Question of Character

“Perhaps because it requires more patience than the others.”

“Or because it offers less opportunity to admire what everyone else already admires.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“Many visitors have already passed it without stopping.”

“Which recommends it in its favor.”

His brow raised. “You think popularity a defect?”

“Not invariably. Merely when it persuades people to admire what they have not truly considered.”

“That is a dangerous opinion to express in London.”

“I shall endeavor to be discreet.”

Something in his expression altered. It was quite a smile, yet near enough that she wondered whether he smiled more often than people supposed.

“I suspect,” he said, “you would find discretion difficult if you believed yourself correct.”

“I hope I should.”

“And if everyone else disagreed?”

“Especially then.”

He considered her answer.

“That is a quality to be admired.”

“Or endured.”

“That depends upon whether one agrees with you.”

She laughed.

“I cannot determine whether that was a compliment.”

“I intended it as one.”

Elizabeth found herself unexpectedly pleased.

His manner differed greatly from that of many gentlemen she had met during her brief stay in town. There was no practiced gallantry, nor did he show an eagerness to display wit merely for its own sake. When he spoke, it was because he appeared genuinely interested in the subject before him.

“And what recommends this painting to you, sir?”

“The honesty of it.”

She looked back at the canvas.

“The tree?”

“The painter.”

He stepped a little nearer, careful not to obstruct another gentleman’s view.

“There are artists who cannot resist embellishment. They improve every prospect until nature herself would fail to recognize it. This one has resisted the temptation.”