or, indeed, Dolly had never
been one of those daughters who make large demands on their father's
purse. But Dolly answered now with a calm, practical tone and manner.

"Yes, I do, father; and mother has a longing for some of those Arabian
Nights things in the curiosity shops. You know people enough here,
father; show them your picture and get me customers."

"Don't be ridiculous, Dolly," said her father. "We are not at the point
of distress yet. And," he added in a graver tone, as Lawrence left the
room, "you must remember, that even if I were willing to see my
daughter working as a portrait-painter, Mr. St. Leger might have a
serious objection to his wife doing it--or a lady who is to be his
wife."

"Mr. St. Leger may dispose of his wife when he gets her," said Dolly
calmly. "I am not that lady."

"Yes, you are."

"Not if I know anything about it."

"Then you don't!" said Mr. Copley. "It is proverbial that girls never
know their own minds. Why, Dolly, it would be the making of you, child."

"No, father; only of my dresses."

Mr. Copley was a little provoked.

"What's your objection to St. Leger? Can you give one?" he asked hotly.

"Father, he doesn't suit me."

"You don't like him, because you don't like him. A real woman's reason!
Isn't he handsome?"

"Very. And sleepy."

"He's wide awake enough for purposes of business."

"Maybe; not for purposes of pleasure. Father, beautiful paintings and
grand buildings are nothing to him; nothing at all; and music might be
the tinkling of tin kettles for all the meaning he finds in it. Father,
dear, do get me some customers!"

"You are a silly girl, Dolly!" said her father, breaking away, and not
very well pleased. Neither did he bring her customers. Those were not
the days of photographs. Dolly took to painting little bits of views in
Venice; here a palace; there a bridge over a canal; the pillars with
the dragon and St. Theodore, the Place of St. Mark, bits of the Riva
with boats; she finished up these little pictures with great care and
delicacy of execution, and then employed Rupert to dispose of them in
the stationers' and fancy shops. He had some difficulty at first in
finding the right market for her wares; however, he finally succeeded;
and Dolly could sell as many pictures as she could paint. True, not for
a great price; they did not pay so well as likenesses; but Dolly took
what she could get, feeling very uncertain of supplies for a time that
was co