mall wine-shop to which he used to take Rose when he first arrived
in Paris. Andre, with whose other name Paul was unacquainted, was an
artist, and, in addition, was an ornamental sculptor, and executed
those wonderful decorations on the outside of houses in which builders
delight. The trade is not a pleasant one, for it necessitates working
at dizzy heights, on scaffolds that vibrate with every footstep,
and exposes you to the heat of summer and the frosts of winter. The
business, however, is well paid, and Andre got a good price for his
stone figures and wreaths. But all the money he earned went in the study
of the painter's art, which was the secret desire of his soul. He
had taken a studio, and twice his pictures had been exhibited at the
_Salon_, and orders began to come in. Many of his brother artists
predicted a glorious future for him. When the cab stopped, Paul threw
the fare to the driver, and asked the clean-looking portress, who was
polishing the brasswork on the door, if M. Andre was at home.

"He is, sir," replied the old woman, adding, with much volubility, "and
you are likely to find him in, for he has so much work; but he is such a
good and quiet young man, and so regular in his habits! I don't believe
he owes a penny in the world; and as for drink, why he is a perfect
Anchorite. Then he has very few acquaintances,--one young lady, whose
face for a month past I have tried to see, but failed, because she wears
a veil, comes to see him, accompanied by her maid."

"Good heavens, woman!" cried Paul impatiently, "will you tell me where
to find M. Andre?"

"Fourth floor, first door to the right," answered the portress, angry at
being interrupted; and as Paul ran up the stairs, she muttered, "A young
chap with no manners, taking the words out of a body's mouth like that!
Next time he comes, I'll serve him out somehow."

Paul found the door, with a card with the word "Andre" marked upon it
nailed up, and rapped on the panel. He heard the sound of a piece of
furniture being moved, and the jingle of rings being passed along a rod;
then a clear, youthful voice answered, "Come in!"

Paul entered, and found himself in a large, airy room, lighted by a
skylight, and exquisitely clean and orderly. Sketches and drawings were
suspended on the walls; there was a handsome carpet from Tunis, and
a comfortable lounge; a mirror in a carved frame, which would have
gladdened the heart of a connoisseur, stood upon the mantel