pleasant hours in the British Museum, studying rare old
prints and illuminations; visits to the numerous other picture
galleries; and, best of all, pleasant hours in other artists' studios,
where Eddie heard a good deal of discussion and criticism, and thought
himself a very important person. Then there were pleasant evenings at
home, when friends dropped in, and the conversation was still of art and
artists, of "studies," "designs," "models," and other matters of
absorbing interest to painters; and Uncle Clair would sit in his big
easy-chair by the fire, and talk in his soft, pleasant voice of the
picture he was going to paint for the Academy some day, when he got
tired of portrait-painting. He would dwell upon his subject lovingly,
describing it in minute detail, and then forget all about it, while some
one else went and painted it, and won money and fame thereby. Being of
an easy temper, and entirely devoid of ambition, Mr. Clair was unable to
sympathise with Eddie's impatience; but though not enthusiastic about
art, he had a thorough knowledge of its technicalities, and Eddie might
have learned much from him if he would. Meantime, Agnes was studying
hard and making wonderful progress, but her aunt one day observed that
she was growing thin and pale again, and her sight becoming weaker; so
the drawing-materials had to be laid aside, except for one hour a day,
and then Agnes and Aunt Amy began visiting the picture-galleries too,
and walking through the parks, and enjoying the bright, cold, frosty
mornings out of doors, while Uncle Clair worked at his portraits, and
Eddie too often sulked in the studio; and Bertie went to his office
every day, and in spite of all his efforts, felt very dull and
dispirited in the cold school-room during the long winter evenings,
cheered only by the thought that his cousins would soon be home, and
then he nothing doubted they would spend a great deal of their time with
him; for of course he would have a good long holiday too.

CHAPTER VI.--A NEW ARRANGEMENT.

"Uncle Gregory, may I spend Christmas at Fitzroy Square?" Bertie said
one morning before the holidays began; and Mr. Gregory looked at him
curiously as he repeated his words.

"Spend Christmas at Fitzroy Square? why? Are you not comfortable at Gore
House?"

"Yes, sir; but it's just a little too dull sometimes in the evenings,"
Bertie replied, very humbly.

"Hum! what do you do in the evenings?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Oh, not