"It is bitter weather out; did you brave it for these? Thank you, but
don't expose yourself so in future. Two invalids in a house are quite
enough. You are snow-crowned, little one; do you know it? The frosting
gleams right, royally on that black hair of yours. Nay, child, don't brush
it off; like all lovely things it fades rapidly, melts away like the dreams
that flutter around a boy in the witchery of a long, still, sunny summer
day."

His thin hand nestled in her shining hair, and she submitted to the touch
in silence.

He regarded her with an expression of sorrowful tenderness, and his hand
trembled as he placed it upon her head. "I know not what is to become of
you. Oh, Electra! if you would only be warned in time."

The warmth of the room had vermilioned her cheeks, and the long black
lashes failed to veil in any degree the flash of the eyes she raised to his
face. Removing the hand from her head, she took it in both hers, and a
cold, dauntless smile wreathed her lips.

"Be easy on my account. I am not afraid of my future. Why should I be? God
built an arsenal in every soul before he launched it on the stormy sea of
Time, and the key to mine is Will! What woman has done, woman may do; a
glorious sisterhood of artists beckon me on; what Elizabeth Cheron, Sibylla
Merian, Angelica Kauffman, Elizabeth Le Brun, Felicie Fauveau, and Rosa
Bonheur have achieved, I also will accomplish, or die in the effort. These
travelled no royal road to immortality, but rugged, thorny paths; and who
shall stay my feet? Afar off gleams my resting-place, but ambition scourges
me unflaggingly on. Do not worry about my future; I will take care of it,
and of myself."

"And when, after years of toil, you win fame, even fame enough to satisfy
your large expectations, what then? Whither will you look for happiness?"

"I will grapple fame to my empty heart, as women do other idols."

"It will freeze you, my dear child."

"At all events, I will risk it. Thank God! whatever other faults I confess
to, there is no taint of cowardice in my soul."

She rose, and stood a moment on the rug, looking into the red network of
coals, then turned to leave him, saying--

"I must go to your mother now, and presently I will bring your tea."

"You need not trouble. I can go to the dining-room to-night."

"It is no trouble; it gives me great pleasure to do something for your
comfort; and I know you always enjoy your supper more when you have it
h