But if you get up one don't let me know. I'd rather be able
to say that I had no knowledge of it if it came before us."
Fenton smiled and continued his painting. With a thrill half of
triumph, half of rage, he became aware that he was this morning
succeeding admirably in getting just the likeness he wanted in the
sitter's portrait. He had feared lest his excitement should render him
unfit for work, but it had, on the contrary, spurred him up to unusual
effectiveness. The thought came into his mind of the price at which he
was buying this skill, and it was characteristic that the reflection
which followed was that at least, if he caused Hubbard to lose money by
betraying the secret he hoped to get from him, he was, to a degree,
repaying him by painting a portrait which could under no other
circumstances be so good.
It was no less characteristic of Fenton's mental habits that he looked
upon himself as having committed the crime against his sitter which had
yet to be carried out. In his logic, the legitimate, however distorted,
legacy from Puritan ancestors, the sin lay in the determination; and he
would have held himself almost as guilty had circumstances at this
moment freed him from the disagreeable necessity of going on with his
attempt. Doubtless in this fact lay in part the explanation of the
firmness of his purpose. He would still have suffered in self-respect,
since abandonment of his plan, even if voluntary, would not alter the
fact that he had in intention been guilty.
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