She had already sold one or two copies of small pictures.

The larger work, on which she was engaged, she had undertaken by the advice of the Director, in the hope of disposing of it when the following summer should bring with it the usual incoming tide of travellers.
The result was that the stranger, taking with him a little note from the Director, went again to the gallery the next day, and finding Signorina Paolina at her post as usual, then and there made his proposition to her.
He was glad, when in doing so he spoke face to face with the girl, that the matter had been settled in his mind before he had seen her.

For he was pleased to be sure that his judgment had not been warped in the matter by the irresistible prejudice in favour of a beautiful girl.

And had he seen Paolina first, he could have had no such assurance.

In truth, the poor Venetian painter's orphan child was very beautiful.