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 for a poor man like me, without knowledge or education, to attempt anything vast or sublime, and that he ought to be content with a modest place on the lowest step of Mount Parnassus, aiming only at such things as may be useful in everyday life. Utility in art should be his motto.

"Utility in art!" exclaimed his Lordship; "that is a contradiction in terms, true beauty is only found in what is useless."

"A lofty sentiment," said I, bowing, "and profoundly true; you see it everywhere, in art as well as in life; a diamond is beautiful, and so is a king, a prince, a great noble, or a flower."

On this he turned away, much pleased with so much proper feeling; but Asnois pinched me, and whispered in my ear, "Shut up, you old humbug! I don't mind if you do make a fool of this fop from Paris, but don't try anything of that sort on me, or it will be the worse for you!"

"Oh! your Lordship, how could you think me capable of such a thing? As if I would be so ungrateful to my protector, my benefactor! and not only ungrateful but foolish. Breugnon is not that kind of a fool, he knows enough to take good care of his own skin, and your Lordship is not only stronger,—that is as it should be,—but ever so