Asmaybegatheredfromthefollowingpages,mytitlewasobtainedanumberofyearsago,andthestoryhassincebeentakingformandcolorinmymind.WhathasbecomeofthebeautifulbutdiscordantfaceIsawattheconcertgardenIdonotknow,butItrustthatthecountenanceitsuggested,anditschangesmaynotprovesovagueandunsatisfactoryastobeindistincttothereader.Ithaslookeduponthewriterduringthepastyearalmostlikethefaceofalivingmaiden,andIhavefelt,inawaythatwouldbehardtoexplain,thatIhavehadbutlittletodowithitsexpressions,andthatforcesandinfluencesoverwhichIhadnocontrolweremouldingcharacter.
　　Theoldgarden,andtheagedmanwhogrewyoungwithinit,arenotcreations,butsacredmemories.
　　ThatthebookmaytendtoennobleotherfacesthanthatofIdaMayhew,istheearnestwishofE.P.Roe.
　　Althoughthesunwasapproachingthehorizon,itsslantingraysfoundayoungartiststillbendingoverhiseasel.Thathisshouldersarebroadisapparentataglance;thatuponthemisplacedashapelyhead,wellthatchedwithcrispblackhair,isalsoseenatonce;thattheheadisnotanemptyoneisprovedbythepictureontheeasel,whichissufficientlyadvancedtoshowcorrectandspiriteddrawing.Abrainthatcandirectthehandhowtodoonethingwell,islikeageneralwhohasoccupiedastrategicpointwhichwillgivehimthevictoryifhefollowsuphisadvantage.
　　Aknockatthedoorisnotansweredatoncebytheintentandpreoccupiedartist,butitssharpandimpatientrepetitionsecurestheratherreluctantinvitation,"Comein,"andevenashespokehebentforwardtogiveanotherstroke.
　　"Sixo'clock,andworkingstill!"criedtheintruder."Youwillkeepthepaintmarketactive,ifyouachievenothingelseasanartist."
　　"Heigho!Ik,isthatyou?"saidheofthepalette,good-naturedly;
　　andrisingslowlyhegavealingeringlookathiswork,thenturnedandgreetedhisfriendwiththequietcordialityoflongandfamiliaracquaintance."Whatamarplotyouarewithyouridleways!"headded."Sitdownhereandmakeyourselfusefulforoncebydoingnothingnothingfortenminutes.IaminjustthemoodandhavejustthelightforabitofworkwhichperhapsIcanneverdoaswellagain,"andtheartistreturnedpromptlytohispicture.
　　Ingreetinghisfriendhehadrevealedthathewasabovemiddleheight,thathehadfullblackeyesthatwerenotonlygoodforseeing,butcouldalso,ifhechose,givegreatemphasistohiswords,andattimesbeevenmoreexpressive.Athickmustachecoveredhislip,buttherestofhisfacewascleanlyshaven,andwasstronganddecidedinitsoutlinesratherthanhandsome.
　　"Theysayawoman'sworkisneverdone,"remarkedIkStanton,droppingintotheeasiestchairinthestudio,"andforthisreason,weretherenoother,yourmuseisevidentlyofthefemininepersuasion.
　　Ialsoadmitthatsheisaladyofgreatantiquity.IndeedIwouldplacehernearertothetimewhen'AdamdelvedandEvespan'thantotheclassicage."
　　"MydearIk,"respondedtheartist,"IamoftenatalosstoknowwhetherIloveordespiseyoumost.Ifalittleofthewhirrofourgreatgrandam'sspinningwheelwouldonlygetintoyourbraintheworldmighthearfromyou.Youareamanofunboundedstomachandunboundedheart,andsoyouhavewonallthereisofmeexceptmyhead,andthatdisapprovesofyou."
　　"Afigfortheworld!whatgoodwillitdomeorittohaveithearfromme?youambitiousfellowsarealreadymakingsuchadinthatthepooroldworldishalfreadyforBedlam;andwouldgostarkmadwereitnotforusquiet,easy-goingpeople,whohavetimeforagooddinnerandasnackbetweenmeals.You'vegotageniusthat'slikeawindmillinatradewind,alwaysinmotion;youareworthmoremoneythanIshalleverhave,butyouarethegreatestdrudgeinthestudiobuilding,andworkasmanyhoursasahouse-painter."
　　"Whenyourbrainoncegetsinmotion,Ik,fictionwillbeitsnaturalproduct.YoumustadmitthatIhavenotpaintedmanypictures."
　　"ThatisoneofthethingsIcomplainof;I,yourbosomfriendandfamiliar,your,Imightadd,guardianangel——I,whohavesooftensavedyourlifebyquenchingtheflameofyourconsuminggeniuswithaheartydinner,havebeenabletoobtainonepictureonlyfromyou,andasonemightdrawatooth.Yourpicturesarelikeoldmaid'schildren——theymustbesoperfectthattheycan'texistatall.Butcome,thetenminutesareup.Here'stheprogrammefortheevening——adriveintheParkandalittledinneratacoolrestaurantnearThomas'sGarden,andthentheconcert.Thatprinceofmusicalcaterershasmadeafineselectionforto-night,and,withthecigarstandononesideofusandtheorchestraontheother,wearecertaintokillacoupleofhoursthatwilldielikeswans."
　　"Youmentionthecigar-standfirst."
　　"Whynot?Smokeismorerealthanemptysound."
　　"Areyounotequallyempty,Ik,saveafterdinner?Howhavetheprecedinghoursofthislongdaybeenkilled?"
　　"Likeboas.Theyhaveenfoldedmewithawearyweight."
　　"Thesnakesinyourcomparisonarelargerthanyourpun,andthepun,ratherthanyourself,suggestsaconstrictor'ssqueeze."
　　"Come,youareonlyabusingmetogaintime,andyoumaygaintoomuch.Myhorseshavemoremettlethantheirmaster,andmaycarryoffmytrapandgroomtopartsunknown,whileyouarewastingpaintandwords.YouareliketheanimalsatthePark,thataregood-naturedonlyaftertheyarefed.Soshutupyouroldpaintshop,andcomealong;wewillshortenourrideandlengthenourdinner."
　　Withmutualchaffingandlaughtertheyoungmenatlastwentdowntowherealiveriedcoachmanandapairofhandsomebayswereinwaiting.Takingthehighfrontseatandgatheringupthereins,IkStanton,withhisfriendHaroldVanBergathisside,bowledawaytowardstheParkatarapidpace.
　　HaroldVanBergwas,intruth,somethingofaparadox.Hewasanartist,andyetwasrich;hehadinheritedlargewealth,andyethadformedhabitsofcarefulindustry.Themajorityofhisyoungacquaintances,whohadbeenlaunchedfromhomeslikehisown,wereknownonlyassonsoftheirfathers,anddegeneratesonsatthat.
　　VanBergwasalreadywinningaplaceamongmenonthegroundofwhathewasandcoulddohimself.
　　Itwerehardtosaywhichwasthestrongermotive,hisambitionortheloveofhisart;butitseemedcertainthatbetweenthetwo,suchtalentashehadbeenendowedwithwouldbedevelopedquitethoroughly.Andhedidpossessdecidedtalent,ifnotgenius.Buthisartisticgiftaccordedwithhischaracter,andwascontrolledbyjudgement,correcttaste,andintellectualityratherthanbystronganderraticimpulses.Hisaimsweredefiniteanddecidedratherthanvagueanddiffusive;buthisstandardsweresohighthat,thusfar,hehadscarcelyattemptedmorethanstudiesthatwerelikethemusician'sscalesbywhichheseekstoacquireaskillintouchthatshallenablehimtorenderjustlytheworksofthegreatcomposers.
　　Hisfamilyhadpraisedhisworkunstintedly,andhonestlythoughtitwonderful;hehadalsobeendelugedwiththatkindofflatterywhichrelaxestherulesofcriticisminfavorofthewealthy.Thusitwasnotstrangethattheyoungfellow,atonetime,believedthathewasborntogreatnessbyakindlydecreeoffate.Butashishorizonwidenedhewastaughtbetter.Hismind,fortunately,grewfasterthanhisvanity,andashecomparedhiscrudebutpromisingworkwiththatofmaturegenius,hewasnotstrickenwiththatmosthelplessphaseofblindness——theinabilitytoseethesuperiorityofotherstoone'sself.Everyday,therefore,ofstudyandobservationwasnowchasteningHaroldVanBergandpreparinghimtobuildhisfuturesuccessonthesolidgroundofpositivemeritascomparedwiththatofotherandgiftedartists.
　　VanBerg'stasteandtalentledhimtoselect,ashisspecialty,thehumanformandcountenance,andhechieflydelightedinthosefaceswhichwereexpressiveofsomestrikingorsubtlecharacteristicoftheindwellingmind.Hewouldneverbecontenttopaintsurfacescorrectly,givingtofeaturesmerelytheirexactproportions.Whetherthefacewerehistorical,ideal,oraportrait,thecontrollingtraitortraitsofthespiritwithinmustshinethrough,orelseheregardedthepictureasscarcelyhalffinished.
　　AmoresincereidolatorthanVanBerg,inhisworshipofbeauty,neverexisted;butitwasthebeautyofacompletemanoracompletewoman.Eveninhisearlyyouthhehadnotbeensosensuousastobecaptivatedbythatopaquefragmentofawoman——anattractiveformdevoidofamind.Indeedwiththeexceptionofafewboyishfollies,hisarthadbeenhismistressthusfar,anditwasbeginningtoabsorbbothheartandbrain.
　　Withwhataquietpulse——withwhatacomplacentsenseofsecurityweoftenmeetthoseseeminglytrivialeventswhichmaychangethewholecharacterofourlives!Theridehadbeentaken,thedinnerenjoyed,andthetwofriendswereseatedinthelargecoolhallwayofftheconcertgarden,wheretheycouldsmokewithoutoffence.Theunrivalledleader,Thomas,hadjustliftedhisbaton——thatmagicwandwhosegracefulyetmysteriousmotionevokeswithequalease,seemingly,thethunderofastorm,thesongofabird,thehorriddinofaninferno,oraharmonysopureandloftyastosuggestheavenlystrains.OneofBeethoven'sexquisitesymphonieswastoberendered,andVanBergthrewawayhishalf-burnedcigar,settledhimselfinhischairandglancedaroundwithacongratulatoryair,asiftosay,"Nowwearetohaveoneofthosepleasureswhichfillsthecupoflifetooverflowing."
　　Oh,thatcasualglance!Itwasoneofthosethingsthatwemightjustlycall"little."Couldanythinghavebeenmoretrivial,slight,andapparentlyinconsequentialthanthishalfinvoluntaryact?Indeeditwastooaimlesseventohavebeenpromptedbyaconsciouseffortofthewill.Butthisbookisoneoftheleastresultsofthatmomentarysweepoftheeye.Anotherwas,thatVanBergdidnotenjoythesymphonyatall,andwassooninaverybadhumor.Thatcasualglancehadrevealed,notfaraway,afacethatwithhispassionforbeauty,atoncerivetedhisattention.Hisslightstartandfaintexclamation,causedIkStantontolookaroundalso,andthen,withamischievousandobservanttwinkleinhiseyes,thebonvivantresumedhiscigar,whichnosymphonycouldexorcisefromhismouth.
　　Atatablejustwithinthemainaudienceroom,theresatayoungladyandgentleman.EvenVanberg,whomadeithisbusinesstodiscoverandstudybeauty,wassooncompelledtoadmittohimselfthathehadneverseenfinerfeaturesthanwerepossessedbythisfairyoungstranger.Hernosewasstraight,herupperlipwasshort,andmighthavebeenmodelledfromCupid'sbow;herchindidnotformaperfectovalafterthecoldandsevereGreciantype,butwasslightlyfirmandprominent,recedingwithdecidedyetexquisitecurvestothefullwhitethroat.Hercheekshadatransparentfairness,inwhichthecolorcameandwentinsteadoflingeringinanyconventionalplaceandmanner;herhairwastoolighttobecalledbrownandtoodarktobegolden,butwasshadedlikethatonwhichthesunlightfallsinoneofBougereau'spicturesof"MotherandChild;"anditrippledawayfromabroadlowbrowinnaturalwaves,halfhidingthesmall,shell-likeears.
　　VanBergatfirstthoughhereyestobeherfinestfeature,buthesoonregardedthemastheworst,andforthesamereason,ashespeedilydiscovered,thattheface,eachfeatureofwhichseemedperfect,became,afterbriefstudy,sounsatisfactoryastocausepositiveannoyance.Toapassingglancetheywerelarge,dark,beautifuleyes,buttheyloststeadilyunderthoughtfulscrutiny.
　　Aflashinggemmayseemrealatfirst,butasitsmeretriciousraysareanalyzed,theylosetheircharmbecauserevealingastonenotonlyworthlessworsethanworthless,sinceitmocksuswithafalseresemblance,thusraisinghopesonlytodisappointthem.TheotherfeaturesremainedbeautifulandsatisfactorytoVanBerg'sfurtiveobservationbecausefurtherremovedfromtheinformingmind,andthereforemorejustlycapableofadmirationupontheirownmerits;
　　buttheeyesaretoonearakintotheanimatingspiritnottosufferfromtherelationship,shouldthespiritbeessentiallydefective.
　　Thatthebeautifulfacewasbutatransparentmaskofadeformed,dwarfed,contemptiblelittlesoulwasspeedilymadeevident.Thecreamandasillyflirtationwithherempty-headedattendant——apallidyouthwhopartedhishairlikeagirlandhadnototherpartsworthnaming——absorbedherwholly,andtheexquisitesymphonywasnomoretoherthananannoyingdinwhichmadeitdifficulttohearhercompanion'scomplimentsthatwereassweet,heavy,andstaleasMailard'schocolates,leftayearontheshelves.Theirmutualgiggleandchatteratlastbecamesoobtrusivethatanoldandmusic-lovingGermanturnedhisbroadfacetowardsthem,andhissedouttheword"Hist!"withsuchvindictiveforceastosuggestthatallthewindshadsuddenlybrokenlosefromthecaveofAeolus.
　　IkStanton,whohadbeenwatchingVanBerg'sperturbed,loweringface,andtheweakcomedyattheadjacenttable,wasobviouslymuchamused,althoughhetookpainstoappearblindtoitallandkepthisback,asfaraspossible,towardstheyounglady.
　　TheGerman's"hist"hadbeensofierceastobealmostlikearapfromapoliceman'sclub,andtherewasanenforcedandtemporarysuspensionoftheinanechatter.Theattendantyouthtriedtoassumetheincensedandthreateninglookwithwhichanancientgallantwouldhavelaidhishandonthehiltofhissword.Butsomeanimalsandmenonlybecomeabsurdwhentheytrytoappearformidable.ItwasludicroustoseehimweaklyfrowningatthesturdyTeutonwhohadalreadyforgottenhisexistenceascompletelyashemightthatofabuzzingmosquitohehadexterminatedwithaslap.
　　Theyyounggirl'sfacegrewevenlesssatisfactoryasitbecamemorequiet.Amuddypool,rippledbyabreeze,willsparklequitebrilliantlywhileinmotion;butwhenquietitisseenthemoreplainlytobeonlyashallowpool.Atfirstthebeautifulfeaturesexpressedonlypettyresentmentatthepublicrebuke.AsthisfaintlyluridlightfadedoutandleftthecountenanceinitsnormalstateitbecamemoreheavyandearthyinitsexpressionthanVanBergwouldhavedeemedpossible,anditeverremainedamysterytohimhowfeaturessodelicate,beautiful,andessentiallyfemininecouldcombinetoshowsoclearlythattheindwellingnaturewaslargelyalloyedwithclay.therewasnotthatdewyfreshnessinthefairyoungfacewhichonemightexpecttoseeintheearlymorningofexistence.TheLordfromheavenbreathedthebreathoflifeintothefirstfairwoman;butthisgirlmightseemtohavebeenthenaturalproductofevolution,andhersoultobeastrulyoftheearthasherbody.
　　Itwasevidentthatshehadbeenmadefamiliartooearlyandthoroughlywithconventionalandfashionablesociety,and,althoughthisfractionoftheworldisseldomwithoutitsgloves,itstouchneverthelesshadsoiledhernature.Herfacedidnotexpressanyactiveormalignantprincipleofevil;butacloseobserver,likeVanBerg,inwhomthemanwasintheascendantovertheanimal,coulddetecttheabsenceoftheserene,maidenlypurityofexpression,characteristicofthosegirlswhohaveobtainedtheirideasoflifefromgoodmothers,ratherthanfromFrenchnovels,Frenchplays,andaphaseofsocietythatborrowsitsinspirationfromfashionableParis.
　　Withtheendingofthesymphonythechattingandflirtingatthetablebeganagain,toVanBerg'sincreaseddisgust.Indeed,hewassoirritatedthathecouldnolongercontrolhimself,androseabruptly,sayingtohiscompanion:
　　"Come,letuswalkoutside."
　　Hissuddenmovementdrewtheyounglady'sattention,butbythistimehehadonlyhisbroadshouldersturnedtowardsher.ShesawIkStantonlookingather,however,withafacefullofmischief,andsherecognizedhimwithanodandasmile.
　　He,withthefamiliaritythatindicatedrelationship,butwithamotiontooslighttobenoticedbyothers,threwherakissfromthetipsofhisfingers,asonemighttossasugar-plumtoachild,andthenfollowedhisfriend.
　　ChapterII.IdaMayhew.
　　Whatisthematter,Van?Youremindmeofacertainhornedbeastthathasseenaredflag,"saidIkStanton,linkinghisarminthatofVanBerg's.
　　"Anaptillustration.Ihavebeenbaitedandirritatedforthelasttwentyminutes."
　　"IthoughtyouenjoyedBeethoven'smusic,andsurelyThomasrendereditdivinelyto-night."
　　"Thatisoneofthechiefofmygrievances.Ihaven'tbeenabletohearanote,"wasthewrathfulresponse.
　　"That'sstrange,"saidStantonwithmockgravity."WereInotafraidyouwouldtakeitamissIwouldhintthatyourearsareofgoodlysize.Howcomesitthattheyhavesosuddenlyfailedyou?"
　　"Havingseenyourdinneryouhavenoeyesforanythingelse.Ifyouhad,youwouldhaveseenafacenearus."
　　"Isawascoreoffacesnearus.AGermanhadonewiththeareaofanacre."
　　"Washetheonewhosaid,'hist,'likeablastfromtheNorth?"
　　"Fromaporpoiserather."
　　"Didyouobservethegirltowardswhomhisgustyrebukewasdirected?"
　　"Yes,aninoffensiveyounglady."
　　"Inoffensive,indeed!"interruptedVanBerg."Shehasputmeintopurgatory."
　　"Youdoseemquiteablaze.Well,youarenotthefirstonethatshehasputthere.Butreally,Van,Ididnotknowthatyouweresoinflammable."
　　"IfyouhadanyoftheinstinctsofanartistyouwouldknowthatIaminflamedwithnogentlerfeelingthananger."
　　"Why!whathasthepoorchilddonetoyou?"
　　"Sheisnotachild.Sheknowstoomuchaboutsomethings."
　　"I'venodoubtsheisbetterthaneitheryouorI,"saidStanton,sharply.
　　"Thatfactwouldbefarfromprovingherasaint."
　　"Whatthedickensmakesyousovindictiveagainstthegirl?"
　　"Becauseshehasthefeaturesofanangelandthefaceofafool.
　　Whatbusinesshasawomantomockanddisappointoneso!WhenI
　　firstsawherIthoughtIhaddiscoveredaprize——anewrevelationofbeauty;butamomentlatershelookedsoineffablysillythatIfeltasifIhadbittenintoanappleofSodom.Ofcoursethegirlisnothingtome.IneversawherbeforeandhopeImayneverseeheragain;butherfeaturesweresoperfectthatIcouldnothelplookingatthem,andthemoreIlookedthemoreannoyedIbecametofindthat,insteadofbeingblendedtogetherintoadivinefacebythemindwithin,theywerethereluctantslavesofaspicayuneasoulasevermaintaineditsmicroscopicexistenceinahumanbody.Itisexasperatingtothinkwhatthatfacemightbe,andtoseewhatitis.Howcannaturemakesuchabsurdblunders?Theideaofbuildingsofairatempleforsuchanuglylittledivinity!"
　　"Ithoughtyouartistsweresatisfiedwithfleshandbloodwomen,ifonlyputtogetherinawaypleasingtoyourfastidiouseyes."
　　"Ifnaturehaddesignedthatwomenshouldconsistonlyoffleshandbloodwomen,ifonlyputtogetherinawaypleasingtoyourfastidiouseyes."
　　"Ifnaturehaddesignedthatwomenshouldconsistonlyoffleshandblood,onewouldhavetobecontent;butnoonesavethe'unspeakableTurk,'believesinsuchawoman,orwantsher.Whoadmiressuchafragmentofawomansavethemanthatisasyetundevelopedbeyondtheanimal?Mymotherismyfriend,mycompanion,myinspiration.
　　TheideaofyondersillycreaturebeingthecompanionofaMAN."
　　"Goodevening,Coz,"saidavoicethatwasatrifleshrillandloudforapublicplace,andlookingup,thefriendssawthesubjectoftheirconversation,who,withherspindlingattendantwasalsotakingapromenade.
　　Stantonraisedhishatwithasmile,whileVanBergtouchedhisbutcoldly.
　　"Iwishtospeakwithyou,"shesaidinpassing.
　　"Iwilljoinyousoon,"Stantonanswered.
　　"Sothisladyisyourcousin?"remarkedVanBerg.
　　"Sheis,"saidStantonlaughing.
　　"YouwilldomethejusticetorememberthatIspokeinignoranceofthefact.IfIwereyouIwouldgivehersomecousinlyadvice."
　　"Blessyou!Ihave,butit'slikepouringwateronaduck'sback.ForonesensiblewordIcansaytohershegetsathousandcomplimentsfromrichandempty-headedyoungfools,liketheonenowwithher,whowilleventuallybeworthhalfamillioninhisownname.Iwasinterestedtoseehowherfacewouldstrikeyou,andIimaginethatyourestimatehashitprettycloseuponthetruth,forinmyjudgmentsheistheprettiestandsilliestgirlinNewYork.Shehasrecentlyreturnedfromayear'sabsenceabroad,andIwasinhopesthatshewouldfindsomethingtorememberbesidesherownhandsomeface,butIimagineshehasseenlittleelsethanitandtheadmiringglanceswhicheverywherefollowher.Takeusasweaverage,Van,Mr.Darwinhasnotgousveryfaralongyet,andifthefaceofawomansuitsusweareapttostareatitasfarassuchpolitenessaswepossesspermits,withoutgivingmuchthoughttoherintellectualendowments.Whenitcomestocompanionship,however,Iagreewithyou.Heavenhelpthemanwhoistiedtosuchawomanforlife.Still,inthefashionablecrowdmycousintrainswith,thismakeslittledifference.Thehusbandgoeshiswayandthewifehers,andtheyarenotlongingettingagoodwaysapart.Butcome,letmeintroduceyou,Ihavealwaysthoughtthelittlefoolhadsomefinegoldmingledwithherdross,andyouaresuchaskilfulanalystthatperhapsyouwilldiscoverit."
　　"No,Ithankyou,"saidVanBerg,withaslightexpressionofdisgust."IcouldnotspeakcivillytoaladythatIhadjustseengigglingandflirtingthroughoneofBeethoven'sfinestsymphonies."
　　"Wellwell,"saidStantonlaughing,"Iamrathergladtofindonemanwhoisnotdrawntoherprettyfacelikeamothtoacandle.
　　Iwilljoinyouagainbyandby."
　　VanBergsatdowninoneofthelittlestallsthatstoodopentothemainpromenade,andsawhisfriendthreadhiswayamongthemovingfigures,andaddresshiscousin.AssheturnedtospeakwithStanton,theartistreceivedagainthatvividimpressionofbeauty,whichherfaceevercausedbeforetimewasgivenforcloserscrutiny.Indeedfromhissomewhatdistantpointofobservation,andinthelesssearchinglight,thefatalflawcouldscarcelybedetected.Heraffectedtonesandsillywordscouldnotbeheard,andhesawonlydarklustrouseyeslightingupfeaturesthatwerealmostarevelationeventohimwithhisartisticfamiliaritywithbeauty.
　　"IfIcouldalwayskeepherataboutthatdistance,"hemuttered,"andarrangethelightsandshadowsinwhichtoviewherface,I
　　couldnotaskforabetterstudy,forshewouldgivemeabasisofperfectbeauty,andIcouldaddanyexpressionofcharacteristicthatIdesired."Andnowhefeastedhiseyesasacompensation,inpart,fortheannoyanceshehadcausedhimintheglareoftheaudienceroom.
　　Hesoonsawafrownloweruponherhithertolaughingfaceliketheshadowofapassingcloud,anditwasevidentthatsomethinghadbeensaidthatwasnotagreeabletohervanity.
　　AmomentortwoafterStantonhadjoinedtheyoungladyherescortfortheeveninghadexcusedhimselfforabrieftime,andhadleftthecousinstogether.Shehadthenasked,"Isay,Ik,whowasthatgentlemanyouweretalkingwith?"
　　"He'sanoldfriendofmine."
　　"He'snotanOLDfriendofanyone.Heisyoungandquitegood-looking,orratherhehasacertain'distingue'airthatmakesonelookathimtwice.Whoishe?"
　　"Heisanartist,andifhelivesandworksasheisnowdoing,throughanordinarylifetime,hewillindeedbydistinguished.Infact,hestandshighalready."
　　"Hownice,"sheexclaimed.
　　"Hehasanothercharacteristic,whichyouwillappreciatefarmorethananythinghewilleveraccomplishwithhisbrush——heisveryrich."