25 : Good-bye, BelleSome days after Max Fustian died in a prison infirmary, and the Crescent was dusty and littered with autumn leaves, Mr. Campion went to visit Mrs. Lafcadio.
They stood in the great studio and looked at the picture which had been returned from Salmon’s and hoisted into position over the fireplace.
It was a cool, dark interior, the figures subdued and the lighting superb.
Belle nodded at it, her white bonnet reflecting the light from the gallery windows.
“Such a nice picture!” she said. “He meant it to be the last to be shown. I remember him painting it quite well, in Spain. I always liked it.”
“What will you do with it?” said Campion. “Keep it?”
“I think so.” The old lady spoke gently. “There’s been such a lot of trouble through this Show Sunday idea of Johnnie’s.
