meagre tree; the pace
quickens, the lips part half laughing.

"Don't scold, Vance. I am late, I know; but I did not make allowance for
interceptions."

"Body o' me, interceptions! For an absentee just arrived in London, you
seem to have no lack of friends."

"Friends made in Paris and found again here at every corner, like
pleasant surprises,--but no friend so welcome and dear as Frank Vance."

"Sensible of the honour, O Lionello the Magnificent. Verily you are _bon
prince!_ The Houses of Valois and of Medici were always kind to artists.
But whither would you lead me? Back into that treadmill? Thank you,
humbly; no."

"A crowd in fine clothes is of all mobs the dullest. I can look
undismayed on the many-headed monster, wild and rampant; but when the
many-headed monster buys its hats in Bond Street, and has an eyeglass
at each of its inquisitive eyes, I confess I take fright. Besides, it is
near seven o'clock; Putney not visible, and the flounders not fried!"

"My cab is waiting yonder; we must walk to it: we can keep on the turf,
and avoid the throng. But tell me honestly, Vance, do you really dislike
to mix in crowds; you, with your fame, dislike the eyes that turn
back to look again, and the lips that respectfully murmur, 'Vance the
Painter'? Ah, I always said you would be a great painter,--and in five
short years you have soared high."

"Pooh!" answered Vance, indifferently. "Nothing is pure and
unadulterated in London use; not cream, nor cayenne pepper; least of
all Fame,--mixed up with the most deleterious ingredients. Fame! did you
read the 'Times' critique on my pictures in the present Exhibition? Fame
indeed Change the subject. Nothing so good as flounders. Ho! is that
your cab? Superb! Car fit for the 'Grecian youth of talents rare,' in
Mr. Enfield's 'Speaker;' horse that seems conjured out of the Elgin
Marbles. Is he quiet?"

"Not very; but trust to my driving. You may well admire the
horse,--present from Darrell, chosen by Colonel Morley." When the young
men had settled themselves into the vehicle, Lionel dismissed his groom,
and, touching his horse, the animal trotted out briskly.

"Frank," said Lionel, shaking his dark curls with a petulant gravity,
"your cynical definitions are unworthy that masculine beard. You despise
fame! what sheer affectation!

"'Pulverem Olympicum
Collegisse juvat; metaque fervidis
Evitata rotis-----'"

"Take care," cried Vance; "we shal