row that stood
here--for what can be more horrid than the sight of a set of dirty
ignorant people in such beautiful scenery? They should all live in a
common, or hide themselves in some dark streets in London. Don't you
think so?"

"A great many of them do; but, if I were a sketcher, I think I could
make a very interesting subject out of a poor man's cottage, with his
little children playing about the garden."

"Not real poor children!" exclaimed Miss Arabel, "nor a real poor
man--no. I have made sketches myself of papa and the Misses
Warrible--Sir Stephen Warrible's daughters--dressing them in fancy
rags, and filling the garden they played in with flowers from our
conservatory, and giving the cottage French windows and a trellis-work
veranda. He stands leaning on a spade, with silver buckles in his
shoes, and the children are playing _La Grace_ with the hoops, covered
with pink ribands. I called it 'The Poor Man's Joy;' and Lord Moon has
begged me to give it to an engraver."

"I hope you will comply with his lordship's request."

"I would if I could escape the publicity of the thing. Papa would be
so angry if he thought I was so nearly professional as to be the
author of a published sketch."

"I am afraid your father is too particular. No scruple of the kind
fettered the genius of one of the princesses of France."

"Ah, but she was one of the new people! There was no artist in the
elder branch. Papa can't endure Louis Philippe, and says they are all
very low."

The gentleman was attacked with a slight cough, and after a pause
renewed the conversation.

"I think I have seen you engaged on this subject for some time."

"It takes a long time to get in all these twists and corners," replied
Miss Arabel with a smile of satisfaction, to find that the recontre
was not more one of chance on his side than her own.

"Do you devote yourself entirely to sketching?"

"Oh no! I paint as well. We have a large gallery at home, and it is an
excellent school. The family portraits are, many of them, very fine."

"Does it go far back in the English school?"

"Oh, you should see the great wigs of the Charleses and jack-boots of
the cavaliers! We were all cavaliers, I suppose, for I don't see a
single roundhead among them."

"And the ladies?"

"Oh, such hoops and farthingales! such pyramids of muslin on their
heads, and pillars of red leather upon their heels!"

"And is the painting good of that ancient date? How do you