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276 "If you wish it. But you mast not expect much. I am only a student, at present."

Thus began the acquaintance. Of course he bought her "Old Peasant Woman" for the very modest sum she asked; and though Hatty and Alaric were both pleased at this, the artist herself hardly experienced more than a qualified sense of gratification. Her first picture sold! Why was she not more elated? The explanation was not far to seek. She had a secret conviction that her picture was not bought for its intrinsic merit, but in order that the purchaser should make himself "pleasant." She revolted against that. She wished she could refuse to part with the picture; but how to do so, without betraying to the Barings the fact that she was indifferent to the money! And in proportion as Melchior grew more familiar, she became less tolerant of his vulgarity. Still she contrived, with some self-restraint, to be perfectly civil to him. And at last he departed.

Then she and Alaric were left alone; and they looked at each other. At last he said—

"One would like all one's transactions with a man like that to be purely business ones. One does not feel like receiving him as a friend."

"Why should one?"

"It is difficult to avoid. If he insists on breakfasting here after his sittings, how can I prevent him?"

"You can't," she said quickly. "As a patron of the Arts, "she added, laughing, "we must both be grateful to him; but in any other light, I think—I think I had rather not see too much of him."

"You shall not, if I can help it. He is a man who has