There, now, is something worthy, something good, something to be
praised--"

"Oh, preach away, Nina!" he answered, with a laugh. "But I've
contributed to Francie's funds until she won't take anything more from
me--not at present. But why do you always talk about saving and saving?
You are an artist, Nina, and you put such value on money!"

"But an artist grows old, Leo," she said.

"Perhaps you have been saving a little yourself, Nina?" he said, at a
venture.

"Oh, yes, I have, Leo, a little," she answered, rather shamefacedly.

"What for?" he made bold to ask.

"Oh, how do I know?" she said, with downcast eyes. "Many things might
happen: is it not safer? No, Leo, you must not say I love money for
itself; it is not fair to me; but--but if a dear friend is ill--if a
doctor says to him, 'Suspend all work and go away to Capri, to Algeria,
to Eg--Egippo'--is it right?--and perhaps he has been indiscreet--he has
been too generous to all his companions--he is in need--then you say,
'Here, take mine--it is between friends.' Then you are proud to have
money, are you not?"

"I'm afraid, Nina, that's what they call a parable," said he, darkly.
"But I am sure of this, that if that person were to be taken ill, and
were so very poor, and were to go to Nina for help, I don't think he
would have to fear any refusal. And then, as you say, Nina, you would be
proud to have the money--just as I know you would be ready to give it."

It was rarely that Nina blushed, but now her pretty, pale face fairly
burned with conscious pleasure; and he hardly dared to look, yet he
fancied there was something of moisture in the long, dark lashes, while
she did not speak for some seconds. Perhaps he had been too bold in
interpreting her parable.

Yes, there was no doubt that this spoiled favorite of the public, who
lived amid the excitements, the flatteries, the gratifications of the
moment, with hardly a thought of the future, was dreadfully extravagant,
though it was rarely on himself that he lavished his reckless
expenditure. Nina's protests were of no avail; whenever he saw anything
pretty or odd or interesting, that he thought would please her, it was
purchased there and then, to be given to her on the first opportunity.
One day he was going through Vigo Street, and noticed in a shop-window a
pair of old-fashioned, silver-gilt loving-cups--those that interclasp;
and forthwith he went in and bought them: "I'll take those; how much are
they