e readily undertook, for he was pleased
with, and interested in, his fair patroness. The picture was
immediately commenced, and an hour fixed for a second sitting, on the
next day. It was on that occasion that the fair unknown encountered
the actress, and they retired in company.

The two portraits were finished at the same time, and reflected the
greatest credit upon the artist. They were varnished, framed, and paid
for, but the painter had received no orders for their final
disposition, when, one morning, he was waited on by the two ladies,
who informed him that they should call upon him the following day,
when the two portraits would be presented, in his study, to the
persons for whom they were designed. The artist was enjoined to place
them on two separate easels,--that of the actress to stand nearest the
door of the studio, and both to be concealed by a curtain until the
ladies should give the signal for their exposure. The portrait of the
English lady, we will here remark, had, by her request, been hitherto
seen only by the artist. There was a mystery in this arrangement,
which piqued, excessively, the curiosity of the painter, and he was
anxious to witness the _denouement_.

The next day, at eleven o'clock, every thing was in readiness, and the
painter awaited the solution of the mystery.

The first person who presented himself was Sir Frederic Stanley. He
was very radiant.

"Congratulate me, _mon cher_," said he. "Read that."

Ernest took an open note from his hand, and read as follows:--

"Be at the studio of Ernest Lavalle, to-morrow, at eleven.
You will there receive a present, which, if there be any
truth in man's vows, will certainly delight you.

"Rose."

The astonishment and disappointment of Ernest was at its height, when
his door opened, and the actress entered, followed by a female,
closely veiled.

"You are true to your appointment, Sir Frederic," said the actress,
gayly, "and your punctuality shall be rewarded."

She advanced to the farther easel, and, lifting the curtain, disclosed
the features of the English lady.

"This is for you!" she said, laughing.

"My wife! by all that's wonderful!" exclaimed the baronet.

"Accompanied by the original!" said Lady Stanley, as she unveiled and
advanced. "Sir Frederic! Sir Frederic! when you were amusing yourself,
by paying unmeaning attentions to this young lady, I am afraid you
f