red up that he quite forgot
the fact that he was standing in a shop in London with hansoms and
'buses rolling by outside. In spirit he was on the steep side of a
Norwegian mountain, surrounded by fog and rain, endeavouring to
discover from what direction a certain cry for help proceeded. Then
the fog rolled away, and, looking up at him, he saw what he now knew to
be the sweetest and most womanly face upon which he had ever gazed. He
was still wrapped in this day-dream when the shopman returned, and
roused him by placing on the counter before him an envelope upon which
was written:--

Miss KATHERINE PETROVITCH.
43, _German Park Road, West._

"That is it, sir," said the man. "If it would be any convenience to
you, sir, it will give me the greatest pleasure to write to the young
lady, and to tell her that you have purchased her picture and would
like her to call upon you."

"I must beg of you not to do anything of the kind," Browne replied,
with the most impressive earnestness. "I must make it a condition of
my purchase that you do not mention my name to her in any way."

The shopman looked a little crestfallen. "Very good, sir; since you do
not wish it, of course I will be sure not to do so," he answered
humbly. "I thought perhaps, having purchased an example of her work,
and being such a well-known patron of art, you might be anxious to help
the young lady."

"What do you mean by helping her?" inquired Browne. "Do you think she
needs assistance?"

"Well, sir, between ourselves," returned the other, "I do not fancy she
is very well off. She was in a great hurry, at any rate, to sell this
picture."

Browne winced; it hurt him to think that the girl had perhaps been
compelled to haggle with this man in order to obtain the mere
necessaries of life. He, however, thanked the man for his courtesy,
and bidding him send the picture to his residence as soon as possible,
left the shop and joined Foote on the pavement outside.

"Well, I hope you have been long enough," remarked that gentleman in an
injured tone, as they proceeded up the street together. "Have you
purchased everything in the shop?"

"Don't be nasty, Jimmy," said Browne, with sudden joviality. "It
doesn't suit you. You are the jolliest little fellow in the world when
you are in a good temper; but when you are not--well, words fail me."

"Don't walk me off my legs, confound you!" said Jimmy snappishly. "The
night is but young, and we'r