literary taste, except Mr. Hargrave;
and he, at present, was quite contented with the newspapers and
periodicals of the day. And if, by any chance, he should look in here, I
felt assured he would soon depart on seeing me, for, instead of becoming
less cool and distant towards me, he had become decidedly more so since
the departure of his mother and sisters, which was just what I wished.
Here, then, I set up my easel, and here I worked at my canvas from
daylight till dusk, with very little intermission, saving when pure
necessity, or my duties to little Arthur, called me away: for I still
thought proper to devote some portion of every day exclusively to his
instruction and amusement. But, contrary to my expectation, on the third
morning, while I was thus employed, Mr. Hargrave did look in, and did not
immediately withdraw on seeing me. He apologized for his intrusion, and
said he was only come for a book; but when he had got it, he condescended
to cast a glance over my picture. Being a man of taste, he had something
to say on this subject as well as another, and having modestly commented
on it, without much encouragement from me, he proceeded to expatiate on
the art in general. Receiving no encouragement in that either, he
dropped it, but did not depart.

'You don't give us much of your company, Mrs. Huntingdon,' observed he,
after a brief pause, during which I went on coolly mixing and tempering
my colours; 'and I cannot wonder at it, for you must be heartily sick of
us all. I myself am so thoroughly ashamed of my companions, and so weary
of their irrational conversation and pursuits--now that there is no one
to humanize them and keep them in check, since you have justly abandoned
us to our own devices--that I think I shall presently withdraw from
amongst them, probably within this week; and I cannot suppose you will
regret my departure.'

He paused. I did not answer.

'Probably,' he added, with a smile, 'your only regret on the subject will
be that I do not take all my companions along with me. I flatter myself,
at times, that though among them I am not of them; but it is natural that
you should be glad to get rid of me. I may regret this, but I cannot
blame you for it.'

'I shall not rejoice at your departure, for you can conduct yourself like
a gentleman,' said I, thinking it but right to make some acknowledgment
for his good behaviour; 'but I must confess I shall rejoice to bid adieu
to the rest, inhos