worst of it is one can never rely upon the troops, and
discipline is certainly more relaxed than usual now that the Emperor
has been upset, and every Jack thinks himself as good as his master.
Altogether I think we are likely to have lively times here before long.
I am not sure that the enemies within are not likely to prove as great a
danger to Paris as the foe without. It was a happy idea of mine to come
to Paris, and I am likely to get subjects enough to last for a
life-time, though I don't know that battle scenes are altogether in my
line. It does not seem to me that I have any line in particular yet. It
is a nuisance having to decide on that, because I have heard Wilson say
an artist, like a writer, must have a line, and when he has once taken
it up he must stick to it. If a man once paints sea pieces the public
look to get sea pieces from him, and won't take anything else. It is the
same thing if he accustoms them to Eastern, or Spanish, or any other
line.

"It maybe that this war will decide the matter for me, which will be a
comfort and relief, though I doubt if I shall ever be able to stick in
one groove. Goude said only yesterday that I had better go on working at
both figure and landscape. At present he could not give an opinion as to
which I was likely to succeed in best, but that he rather fancied that
scenes of life and action, combined with good backgrounds, were my
forte, and battle scenes would certainly seem to come under that
category."

After work was over Cuthbert went out by himself and spent the afternoon
in sketching. He was engaged on a group of soldiers listening to one of
their number reading a bulletin of the latest news, when his eye fell on
a young lady walking with a brisk step towards him. He started, then
closed his note-book suddenly, and as she was on the point of passing,
turned to her and held out his hand.

"Have you dropped from the skies, Miss Brander?"

There was surprise, but neither embarrassment nor emotion on her face as
she said, frankly--

"Why, Cuthbert Hartington, this is a curious meeting. I did know you
were in Paris, for I had heard as much from my father, but I had no idea
of your address and I have wondered many times since I came here, five
weeks ago, whether we should run against each other. No, I have not
dropped from the clouds, and you ought to have known I should be here; I
told you that I was going to have a year in Germany and then a year in
France. My