athetic reproaches.

"_No_ bids for this tasty little picture? Ladies, ladies, this is a
great mistake! In the midst of your arduous brain toil, what could be
more soothing and refreshing than to gaze upon this charming pastoral
scene? This azure earth, this verdant sky, this lovely maid who
combined in her person all the simpering charms of youth, and never, for
one misguided moment, troubled her ochre head over the acquirement of
that higher knowledge which, as we all know, is the proud prerogative of
man! What price shall I say for `The Maiden's Dream'? _No_ bids! Put
it down if you please, Joshua. We have no art collectors with us to-
night. Let me have the Botticelli for a change."

The clerk in blue silk handed up another picture in a rickety Oxford
frame, at which the auctioneer gazed rapturously for several moments
before turning it towards her audience.

"Number Six on the catalogue. Genuine photograph of a Botticelli from
the collection of Miss Eva Dalgleish. Attention, Freshers, if you
please! This is an item of serious importance. The presence of a
Botticelli bestows at once the air of culture and refinement without
which no study is worthy of the name. A genuine photograph of a
Botticelli, purchased by the owner in the Italian city of Florence, and
borne home by her own fair hands, as the crack across the corner will
give proof. In an Oxford frame--a compliment to our sister University--
glazed and complete, with hanging loops and fragment of wire. _What_
offers for the Botticelli? Any Fresher who wishes to prove herself
endowed with refined and artistic--One shilling? Thank you, madam.
_And_ sixpence! One and nine. One and nine for this genuine
Botticelli. Ladies, ladies, this is a sad day for Newnham. And nine--
and nine. Going. Going--_gone_!"

It was Hannah who had testified to her own artistic qualities by
purchasing this photograph. She tucked it proudly under her arm, and
turned an envious eye on a brass flower-pot which was now engaging the
auctioneer's attention. A simultaneous movement of the audience showed
that this was an article on which many hopes had been set, and bidding
promised to be brisk.

"Now, ladies, we come to one of the principal events of the evening, the
bidding for this very rich and magnificent brass, hand-beaten, richly-
chased, Oriental, ornamental flower-pot. We have several flower-pots in
our catalogue, but none to be compared for one moment t