him and he was too just then to think of anything but her soft eyes with tenderness � her white skin � her small caressing hands and the fine bright of her waving hair � all these were his to play with as a child plays with beautiful toys unconscious of or indifferent to their value many such passages of love occupied their time � though he managed to make a good show of work after the first outline drawing of the picture was completed he was a genius in his way uncertain and of impulse but his art was strong because its effects were broad and simple he had begun innocent s portrait out of the mere desire to have her with him constantly � but as day after day went on and the subject developed under his skilled hand and brush he that it would probably be the picture of the in the following year as this conviction dawned upon him he took greater pains and her fancy and his fact worked more carefully and with the happiest results feeling a thrill of true artistic satisfaction as the picture began to live and smile in response to his touch and treatment its composition was simple � he had drawn the girl as though she were slowly advancing towards the spectator giving her figure all the grace habitual to it by e � one little shaped hand held a dove lightly against her breast as though the bird had just flown there for protection from its own alarm � her face was slightly uplifted � the lips smiled and the eyes looked straight out at the world with a beautiful clear which was all their own yet despite the charm and sweetness of the likeness there was a strange pathos about it � a sadness which had never set there by his own will or intention you are a subject he said to her one day � i wanted to give you a happy expression � and yet your portrait is actually growing sad � almost do you look at me like that she opened her pretty eyes surely not i could not look sad when i am with you � that is impossible he paused in hand how when i have nothing to reproach you for answered he put his aside and came and sat at her feet on the step of the where he had posed her you may rest he said smiling up at her � and so may i she sat down beside him and he folded her in his arms how often we rest in this way don t we he murmured � and so you think you have nothing to reproach me for well � i m not so sure of that � innocent she looked at him are you talking nonsense my � or are you serious she asked i am quite serious � much more serious is common with me he replied taking one of her hands and studying it as the perfect model it was � i believe i am you in all sorts of trouble � and you you absurd little child don t see it suppose miss were to find out that we make the love to each other in here � you all alone with me � what would she say what could she say innocent demanded there is no harm � and i should not mind telling her we are lovers i should though was his quick thought while he at her besides � she continued � she has no right over me who has any over you he asked curiously she laughed softly no one � except you oh hang me he exclaimed impatiently � leave me out of the question have you no father or mother she was a little hurt at his sudden no die answered quietly � i have often told you i have no one i am alone in the world � i can do as i like then a smile brightened her face lord would have me as a daughter if i would go to him he started and loosened her from his embrace lord that wealthy old peer what does he want with you nothing i suppose but the pleasure of my company and she laughed � doesn t seem strange her fancy and his fact he rose and went back to work at his rather he said slowly � are you going to accept his offer her eyes opened widely i my how can you think it i would not accept it for all the world he would load me with benefits � he would surround me with luxuries � but i do not want these i like to work for myself and be independent he laid a brush lightly in colour and began to use it with delicate care you are not very wise he then said � it s a great thing for a young girl like you who are all alone in the world to be taken in hand by such a man as he s a � very useful to his country � he s very rich and has a splendid position his wife s sudden death has left him very lonely as he has no children � you could be a daughter to him and it would be a great leap upwards for you speaking you would be much better off imder his care than books she drew a sharp breath of pain � all the pretty colour fled from her cheeks you do not care for me to books she said in low stifled accents he laughed oh i don t mind � i never read them � and in a way it me you are such an of sweetness � such a warm little bird of love in my arms � and to think that you actually write books that the 