An Engagement of Convenience

had always afforded him a certain satisfaction-he had consistently maintained his magnificent want of interest in all this Philistine population. His studio was his castle, and if

y and confidentially! He might even have drawn back at the very last-alleged an engagem

y he caught up the lamp, and once more directed its light on to the surface. The picture took deep hold of him, and he stood absorbed in it. And somehow Mr. Robinson's wondering voice began to sound it

e first try his comedies on his housekeeper? Mr. Robinson's tastes were the tastes of the great public-nay, of even the better classes that went to the galleries. Like him, they dwelt entirely on the illustrative aspect of painting, and were altogether swayed by the humanity of a picture, by its dramatic o

olding out so long, to capitulate absolutely for want of bread!

en all that day! And with the thought a distressing weakness came over him. There was a humming at his temples: the stu

add variety to the store by laying out his last shilling in the streets adjoining, but the shilling was too precious, and anyway he had not the energy to go shopping. There swam up before him the picture of a well-lighted, comfortable dining-room with a heavily laden table, and of a middle of salmon, piping hot, that was

he lamp up to the gallery, and began his preparations. And then the whim took him to change his clothes again. Not that he suppose

mself in the glass, well set up, and bearing himself exquisitely, the fact of his poverty seemed absurd and incredible. His face, too, seemed to have recovered some of its old

at the corner that had stamped itself upon him as the symbol of all Suburbia, as the st

is distaste, it was at least mitigate