A VTSION

Lovell, how am T to thank vou for the honour you have done me?” Moving to him, she held out to him her hand. He gave her his. She retained it—or, rather, part of 1t—-

mn her small palm. “If I am ever destined to attain to immortality, it 15 to your

brush 1t will be owing. Monsieur, permit me to

salute the master !”

Before he had an inkling of her intention, she raised his hand and touched 1t with herlips. He withdrew it quickly.

“ Madame !”

She exhibited ol discomposure.

“Iwas at your Academy, with a friend —not half an hour ago. 1 beheld miles

No SIZNS

of mediocrity. Suddenly I saw—my face! my own face ! glancmg at me from the walls b A4, quelle pleser! But my face - how many times morc lovely! How many times

more beautiful | My face -—depicted by the hand of a great artist ! by the brush of a poet, and a genius '— Monsicur, you have placed onme ten thousand obliga- tions.”

She gave him the most

sweeping curtsey with L which he ever had been - favoured- -and in her cyes was laughter all the time. He was recovering his presence of mind. He felt that it was time to put a stop to the lady’s flow of flowery language. He was about to do so —when a (question she put to him again sent half his senses flying.

“There 1s one thing which 1 wished to ask you, Monsieur. W hen and where dud 1T sit to you for my portrait? I do not recmember to have had the plcasum and the honour of meeting you before.” The lady’s laughing eyes were fixed intently on his face. “And yet, as I look at you, a sort of shadowy recollection comes to me of a previous encounter; it is very strange! Monsieur, where was it we enc ountercd‘vou and 1?27

“ Madame !’

Sceing how evidently he was at a loss for

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TAIAY 1 ENTER?T

NI1GHT. 627 words, she put out her hand to him as if to (rn him courage. " Do not be afraid. T'ell me—where was

it that vou saw me?”

“ I saw vou in a dream.”

“Adream? Monsicur! To hear you speak—it is like o poem. Monsieur, where did you dream this dream in which you dreamt of me?”

“It was last vear, at Spa.”

“At Spa - that horrible place?”

“1 did not find it a horrible place.”

“No? Was it that dream which you dreamt of me which robbed it of its horror?” He did not speak. He allowed her to infer a compliment, but he did not proffer one. * But, Monsicur, T was only at Spa one afternoon and single night.”

“It was that dreamed of you.”

“You dreamed? How? Tell me about this dream.”

“1T dreamed that von came 1Into my room while [ was asleep 1 bed, and kissed me!”

She continued to at hmim mtently a moment longer, as if she did not realize the full meaning of his words. Then- let us do her justice ! the blood rushed to her face, her cheeks flamed fiery red. With her hands she veiled her eyes. cave a httle cry.

Ay inon Diew? 1t was vou - I remem- bere Quelle horvewnr !

There was silence.

night 1

look

Before she removed her hands from her eyes she turned away. She stood with her back towards him, trifling with a brush which he had placed upon he table. She spoke scarcely above a whisper.

“ Monsicur, 1 thought you were asleep.”

“T was aslcul) I saw you in a dream.”

“Then did -did T wake you?”

“You must have done. 1 woke—you must forgive my aym(’ so—with a kiss tingling on my lips.” The lady put her Lands up to hereyes again, “The dream