Frank did so rather reluctantly, and seated himself with unwonted bashfulness on the edge of a chair.

But here new specimens of the doctor's handicraft soon riveted attention.

The room had been originally papered, but Riccabocca had stretched canvas over the walls, and painted thereon sundry satirical devices, each separated from the other by scroll-works of fantastic arabesques.

Here a Cupid was trundling a wheelbarrow full of hearts, which he appeared to be selling to an ugly old fellow, with a money-bag in his hand--probably Plutus.

There Diogenes might be seen walking through a market-place, with his lantern in his hand, in search of an honest man, whilst the children jeered at him, and the curs snapped at his heels.