re like a gentleman. I clapped
my hands, and sang, and rattled gay things on the pianoforte. Then I put
on my hat--newly recovered from my estimable uncle--and went out to buy
canvas and materials for my new picture. I brought these things back in
a cab, and carried them upstairs. When I got them there, I found that
I had no room for so large a canvas. I had managed to get the small
canvases and the little field-easel on which I painted into a good
light, but with this it was impossible. I spoke about it to the
landlady.

'If you'll excuse me, sir,' she said, 'I think I could propose an
arrangement as would suit. The ladies below give warning last week,
because the rooms they've got is too expensive.

Now, this little room would do nicely for 'em, with the next, which
I shall be glad and thankful for a chance of giving Mr. Jinks his
warning,' (Jinks was a drunken tailor, my next-room neighbour.) 'Now,
sir, if the rooms below will suit you----'

I told her I was sure they would, and asked her if she would broach the
question with the ladies. She went down at once, and came back shortly
to ask when it would be convenient for me to remove my things. I said
'at any moment,' There was so little property between us all three, that
it was transferred without much trouble in a few minutes. The landlady
agreed that Mr. Jinks should have other accommodation secured for him
in the house until the end of the next week; and for a single day the
ladies were to make themselves at home in this one old room of mine.
Miss Grammont came up the stairs with difficulty, and asked--

'When shall you wish to remove your piano, signor?'

Now, I had already proposed to myself a great pleasure.

'Permit me, madame,' I answered, 'to leave it here for a little time,
until I can arrange my rooms.'

'Certainly,' the lady answered.

'And if madame or her sister play, it will improve the piano to be
played upon, and I shall be vastly gratified.'

Cecilia thanked me with so much energy that I was assured that she was a
devotee to music.

'Would she play?' I asked; and she consented.

She was shy before me, but so eager to put her fingers on the keys that
she conquered all diffidence and went at once to the piano.

When she had played a Sonata of Haydn's, I turned in my enthusiastic
way to her sister and said how I rejoiced to have been able to gratify
genius.

'Genius is a very large word,' said Miss Grammont. Cecilia was playing
someth