Page:What Will He Do With It? - Routledge - Volume 2.djvu/117

 painter were old fellow-travellers along the same road of life. Darrell was really an exquisite judge of art, and his praise was the more gratifying because discriminating. Of course he gave the due meed of panegyric to the female heads, by which the artist had become so renowned. Lionel took his kinsman aside, and, with a mournful expression of face, showed him the portrait by which, all those varying ideals had been suggested--the portrait of Sophy as Titania.

"And that is Lionel," said the artist, pointing to the rough outline of Bottom.

"Pish!" said Lionel, angrily. Then turning to Darrell: "This is the Sophy we have failed to find, sir--is it not a lovely face?"

"It is indeed," said Darrell. "But that nameless refinement in expression--that arch yet tender elegance in the simple, watchful attitude--these, Mr. Vance, must be your additions to the original."

"No, I assure you, sir," said Lionel: "besides that elegance, that refinement, there was a delicacy in the look and air of that child to which Vance failed to do justice. Own it, Frank."

"Reassure yourself, Mr. Darrell," said Vance, "of any fears which Lionel's enthusiasm might excite. He tells me that Titania is in America; yet, after all, I would rather he saw her again--no cure for love at first sight like a second sight of the beloved object after a long absence."

DARRELL (somewhat gravely).--"A hazardous remedy--it might kill, if it did not cure."

COLONEL MORLEY.--"I suspect, from Vance's manner, that he has tested its efficacy on his own person."

LIONEL.--"NO, mon Colonel--I'll answer for Vance. He in love! Never."

Vance coloured--gave a touch to the nose of a Roman senator in the famous classical picture which he was then painting for a merchant at Manchester--and made no reply. Darrell looked at the artist with a sharp and searching glance.

COLONEL MORLEY.--"Then all the more credit to Vance for his intuitive perception of philosophical truth. Suppose, my dear Lionel, that we light, one idle day, on a beautiful novel, a glowing romance--suppose that, by chance, we are