YS.

Up to this period of his life the vigorous constitution of Maurice had
suffered no exhausting drain. His habits had been so regular, his mode
of life so simple, that his fine _physique_ had been untrifled with,
uninjured. As a natural sequence, the first inroads made upon its
strength were rapidly repaired. The fever once conquered, in a week he
was sufficiently convalescent to walk out, leaning on the arm of Gaston
de Bois, or Ronald Walton. His gait was feeble, his form attenuated, his
countenance had lost its ruddy glow,--the lines had sharpened until
their youthful, healthful roundness was wholly obliterated; but the
nervous, untranquil expression had passed away from his face, and the
restless glancing from side to side had left his eyes. Through the
stimulating medium of fresh air and gentle exercise he gathered new
vitality, and the promise of speedy restoration was daily confirmed.

His favorite resort was the _atelier_ of the celebrated master under
whose direction Ronald was studying his art. Seated in the comfortable
arm-chair devoted to the use of models, Maurice often remained for
hours, watching the busy brushes and earnest faces, among which the
genius-lighted countenance of the young Carolinian shone conspicuously.
On one of these occasions, after sitting for some time lost in thought,
when he chanced to turn his head Ronald surprised him by crying out,--

"My dear fellow, don't move! Keep that position another moment,--will
you? I am making a sketch of your head. It has just the outline I want
for my Saxon Knight after the battle."

Maurice could not but smile at this evidence of the national trait of
the young American, who seized upon every material within his reach for
the advancement of his art. Ronald's words, too, struck him,--"After the
battle!" Well might he resemble one who had passed through a severe
conflict; but it was also one who was prepared to fight valiantly anew,
and not disposed to succumb to the army of adverse circumstances arrayed
against his peace.

It was not possible for a young man, endowed with the impressible
temperament of Maurice, to be thrown into constant communication with
an associate as full of vigorous activity as Ronald Walton, without
being stirred and inspired by the contact. The force, decision,
aptitude, promptness, which distinguished Ronald, had constituted him a
sort of prince among his fellow-students, who gave him the lead in all
their united mov