scoveredfirsttwoFrenchbooks,avolumeofSchiller,aGermangrammaranddiary,andthenmydrawing-materialsandsomesketches,includingapencil-headofaprettylittlecherub-likegirl,oneofmyscholars,andsundryviewsfromnature,takenintheValeofMortonandonthesurroundingmoors.Shewasfirsttransfixedwithsurprise,andtherifiedwithdelight.

    “HadIdohesepictures?DidIknowFrendGerman?Whatalove—whatamiracleIwas!IdrewbetterthanhermasterinthefirstschoolinS-.WouldIsketchaportraitofher,toshoa?”

    “Withpleasure,”Ireplied;ahrillofartist—delightattheideaofcopyingfromsoperfedradiantamodel.Shehadthenonadark-bluesilkdress;herarmsandherneckwerebare;heronlyorwasherchestnuttresses,whichwavedoverhershoulderswithallthewildgraaturalcurls.Itookasheetoffinecard-board,anddrewacarefuloutline.Ipromisedmyselfthepleasureofcit;and,asitwasgettinglatethen,Itoldhershemusteandsitanotherday.

    Shemadesuchareportofmetoherfather,thatMr.Oliverhimselfapaniedherevening—atall,massive-featured,middle-aged,andgrey-headedman,atwhosesidehislovelydaughterlookedlikeabrightflowernearahoaryturret.Heappearedataciturn,andperhapsaproudpersohewasverykindtome.ThesketchofRosamond’sportraitpleasedhimhighly:hesaidImustmakeafinishedpictureofit.Heinsisted,too,onmyidaytospendtheeveningatValeHall.

    Iwent.Ifounditalarge,handsomeresidence,showingabundantevidencesofwealthintheproprietor.RosamondwasfullofgleeandpleasureallthetimeIstayed.Herfatherwasaffable;andwheeredintoversationwithmeaftertea,heexpressedinstrongtermshisapprobationofwhatIhaddoneinM