He and Phoebe had so much to do--to get a house and furnish it, to pay pressing bills, to provide models for the new picture! Why, it would be all gone directly! He locked up the cheque safely, took his hat, and was just running out when his eye fell on the three-hours' sketch of Madame de Pastourelles, which had been the foundation of the portrait.

He had recently framed it, but had not yet found a place for it.

It stood on the floor, against the wall.

He took it up, looked at it with delight--by Jove! it was a brilliant thing!--and placing it on a small easel, he arranged two lamps with moveable shades, which he often used for drawing in the evening, so as to show it off.

There was in him more than a touch of theatricality, and as he stood back from this little arrangement to study its effect, he was charmed with his own fancy.