approval of your other guardian. You can come and live with me, and I'll
teach you the groundwork and details of art: inspiration, genius,
success are not mine to bestow; nor shall I send you to a university. In
the first place, I can't afford it; in the next, I don't think it
necessary; but if I see you have a real love of and taste for art, I'll
send you to study abroad for a few years, if possible; but first of all
you must work. You can live with me; my house will be your home, your
aunt will take care of you. Your mornings must be spent in my studio,
your afternoons devoted to continuing your studies; but I want you
clearly to understand, lad, that you are not coming to visit or to play,
but to learn a profession--and an honourable profession. You will find
many things irksome perhaps, and have to perform many unpleasant duties,
but if you work with a single heart, and try to make the best of
everything, you will find, taking the rough with the smooth of it, that
art is a noble profession. But I cannot honestly call it the high road
to fortune. Your Uncle Gregory has made his proposal; I have made mine.
Think before you decide."

"I will go with you, Uncle Clair," Eddie answered, drawing nearer to the
artist. "There is no need to think; I never could be a merchant; I must
be a painter. My mind is thoroughly made up."

"As you will, boy. Your Uncle Clair has made you a liberal offer;
according to his means, he offers you of his best freely and kindly. I
hope you may prove worthy of his trust in you, but as I do not want my
sister's son to be entirely dependent on a stranger----"

"Uncle Harry said I could _work_," Eddie said, drawing still nearer to
his favourite relative.

"Yes, Mr. Gregory, the boy must be independent. If I find him useful,
I'll pay him a small salary," Mr. Clair replied gently, no way ruffled
by Mr. Gregory's cold, scornful tones. "That matter is decided: Edward
is to come to us."

"And you?" Mr. Gregory continued, turning to Bertie. "Are you also
anxious to become an artist?"

"No, uncle; I want to make my fortune and get back Riversdale."

"Well spoken, my lad. Then you decide to come with me?"

"Yes, please; I should like to be a great, rich, powerful merchant, and
own ships and things. But, Uncle Gregory, who's to take care of dear
little Cousin Agnes?"

"I am really quite at a loss to know," Mr. Gregory said, frowning. "Has
she no friends of her mother's? The child has no claim o