the chimney. He then rang the bell.

'Benson, take those things away,' said he, pointing to the easel, canvas,
and stretcher; 'and tell the housemaid she may kindle the fire with them:
your mistress won't want them any more.'

Benson paused aghast and looked at me.

'Take them away, Benson,' said I; and his master muttered an oath.

'And this and all, sir?' said the astonished servant, referring to the
half-finished picture.

'That and all,' replied the master; and the things were cleared away.

Mr. Huntingdon then went up-stairs. I did not attempt to follow him, but
remained seated in the arm-chair, speechless, tearless, and almost
motionless, till he returned about half-an-hour after, and walking up to
me, held the candle in my face and peered into my eyes with looks and
laughter too insulting to be borne. With a sudden stroke of my hand I
dashed the candle to the floor.

'Hal-lo!' muttered he, starting back; 'she's the very devil for spite.
Did ever any mortal see such eyes?--they shine in the dark like a cat's.
Oh, you're a sweet one!' So saying, he gathered up the candle and the
candlestick. The former being broken as well as extinguished, he rang
for another.

'Benson, your mistress has broken the candle; bring another.'

'You expose yourself finely,' observed I, as the man departed.

'I didn't say I'd broken it, did I?' returned he. He then threw my keys
into my lap, saying,--'There! you'll find nothing gone but your money,
and the jewels, and a few little trifles I thought it advisable to take
into my own possession, lest your mercantile spirit should be tempted to
turn them into gold. I've left you a few sovereigns in your purse, which
I expect to last you through the month; at all events, when you want more
you will be so good as to give me an account of how that's spent. I
shall put you upon a small monthly allowance, in future, for your own
private expenses; and you needn't trouble yourself any more about my
concerns; I shall look out for a steward, my dear--I won't expose you to
the temptation. And as for the household matters, Mrs. Greaves must be
very particular in keeping her accounts; we must go upon an entirely new
plan--'

'What great discovery have you made now, Mr. Huntingdon? Have I
attempted to defraud you?'

'Not in money matters, exactly, it seems; but it's best to keep out of
the way of temptation.'

Here Benson entered with the candles, and there followed a brief inte