“Of course I do!  Would you have a man chinless?”

“Luckily, you have a determined little round chin of your own,” Miss Ruston observed.  “And you’re happy with him?  Yes, I can see it in your face.  Well, now, shall we talk about me?  Because I have so little time, you know, and so much has to be settled before night.”

“Tell me all about it at once, dear.”  And Ellen established her guest in a high-backed, cushioned wicker chair by the window, and sat down close by.  The two looked at each other, smiling.

“Well, Len, I never could lead up to a thing; I have to tell it in one burst, and trust to Providence to sustain the hearer.  What would you say—­to—­my coming to this place for a year, renting a cottage, putting in a skylight, and—­practising my profession of photography in your midst?”

“Charlotte Ruston!”

“My middle name is Chase,” observed Miss Ruston, laying her head back against the chair, and smiling out at Mrs. Burns through half-closed lids.  “Charlotte Chase Ruston forms a quite imposing signature to imprint upon the distinguished portraits she is to make.  Portraits of the aristocracy who can afford to pay ever so many dollars a dozen for likenesses of themselves in exquisite, informal poses, with wonderful shadows just where they will hide the most defects, and splendid high lights where they will bring out all the charm the subjects didn’t know they possessed.”

“Charlotte!  Have you been studying in secret?  I know you do delightful amateur work, but—­a studio!  Do you dare?”

“I’ve worked a year in the developing room of the Misses Kendall, and have been allowed to make trial studies of subjects, when they were busy.  I have their friendship, also that of Brant—­Eugene Brant—­who does the cleverest professionally amateur studio work in the world, according to my humble opinion.  And the Kendalls do the finest garden and outdoor studies, as you know.  Could I have better training?  Mr. Brant thinks me fit to start a city studio—­a modest one—­but the Misses Kendall advise a year in a small town, just working for experience and perfection.  Then when I do begin in a bigger place I’ll be ready to do work of real distinction.  Come, tell me, isn’t it a beautiful plan?”

“Any plan, which brings you to live near me, is a beautiful plan.  And you’ve really chosen this little town?  How did you come to do it?”

“Tales of the beauty of the region, and the reflection that, since one small town in it was probably as good as another, there was no reason why I shouldn’t be near one of my dearest friends, and have, frankly, the help of her patronage.  Shall you mind giving it to me?”

“I’ll bring you a dozen subjects the first day.  I suppose you haven’t looked about at all as yet for the place?”

“I shall not need to, if you won’t object to having me close by, even so near as across the road.  As I stood on your doorstep I saw my future studio spring, full-fledged, into view, with a ‘To rent’ notice already up.  Could I have a plainer sign that my good fairy is attending my footsteps?”