Note: First published in Lucas' Annual, September 1914.

Synopsis: "A house party is beset by a fire in the middle of the night in the east wing of the house. Begged by their hostess to save 'my poor darling Eva – Eva of the golden hair,' Lucien demurs, on the grounds that he has never even met her. It is only on discovering that Eva is not a flesh-and-blood daughter but Mrs Gramplain's painting of the daughter she wished that she had had, and which she has faithfully updated with the passing years, that Lucien declares a willingness to forfeit his life to rescue her, since 'death in this case is more beautiful,' a sentiment endorsed by the Major. As the two men disappear into the blaze, Mrs Gramplain recollects that she 'sent Eva to Exeter to be cleaned.' The two men have lost their lives for nothing." (Wikipedia)