ell as our labor."

Mr. Greville's cheek flushed; but as he glanced at the shabby exterior
and wan face of the artist, his color faded, and he answered gently--

"Believe me, Mr. Montfort, I am not one of the persons you
describe--if, indeed, they exist elsewhere but in your imagination. I
should be the last person to fail in sympathy for the high-toned
feelings of an artist; for in early life I was thought to manifest a
talent for art--and, indeed, I had a strong desire to follow the
vocation."

"And you abandoned it--you turned a deaf ear to the divine
inspiration--you preferred wealth to glory--to be one of the vulgar
many rather than to belong to the choice few. I congratulate you, Mr.
Greville, on your taste."

"You judge me harshly, Mr. Montfort," replied the gentleman,
pleasantly. "I am hardly required to justify my choice of calling to a
perfect stranger; and yet your very frankness induces me to say a word
or two of the motives which impelled me. My parents were poor. An
artist's life seemed to hold no immediate prospects of competence.
They to whom I owed my being might die of want before I had
established a reputation. I had an opportunity to enter commercial
life advantageously. I prospered. I have lived to see the declining
days of my parents cheered by every comfort, and to rear a family in
comfort and opulence. One of my boys promises to make a good artist.
Fortunately, I can bestow on him the means of following the bent of
his inclination. Instead of being an indifferent painter myself, I am
an extensive purchaser of works of art, so that my conscience acquits
me of any very great wrong in the course I adopted."

Montfort was silent; he was worsted in the argument.

"Mr. Montfort," pursued the gentleman, after a pause, "my evenings are
always at my disposal, and I like to surround myself with men of
talent. I have already a large circle of acquaintances among artists,
musicians, and literary men, and once a week they meet at my house; I
shall be very happy to see you among us. To-night is my evening of
reception--will you join us?"

Proud and shy as he was, Montfort could not help accepting an
invitation so frankly and pleasantly tendered. He promised to come.

"One favor more," said Mr. Greville. "You won't sell that picture.
Will you lend it to me for a day or two?"

"I cannot refuse you, of course, Mr. Greville."

"If you have the slightest objection, say so frankly," said the
kind-hearte