In fact, I may now feel free to look after my
investment."

SOPHY (whispering Lionel).--"You are sure the Calf has gone as well as
the Norfolk Giant?"

Lionel wonderingly replied that he thought so; and Waife disappeared
into his room, whence he soon emerged, having doffed his dressing-gown
for a black coat, by no means threadbare, and well brushed. Hat,
stick, and gloves in hand, he really seemed respectable,--more than
respectable,--Gentleman Waife every inch of him; and saying, "Look your
best, Sophy, and sit still, if you can," nodded pleasantly to the three,
and hobbled down the stairs. Sophy--whom Vance had just settled into a
chair, with her head bent partially down (three-quarters), as the artist
had released

"The loose train of her amber-dropping hair,"

and was contemplating aspect and position with a painter's meditative
eye-started up, to his great discomposure, and rushed to the window. She
returned to her seat with her mind much relieved. Waife was walking in
an opposite direction to that which led towards the whilolm quarters of
the Norfolk Giant and the Two-headed Calf.

"Come, come," said Vance, impatiently, "you have broken an idea in half.
I beg you will not stir till I have placed you; and then, if all else of
you be still, you may exercise your tongue. I give you leave to talk."

SOPHY (penitentially).--"I am so sorry--I beg pardon. Will that do,
sir?"

VANCE.--"Head a little more to the right,--so, Titania watching Bottom
asleep. Will you lie on the floor, Lionel, and do Bottom?"

LIONEL (indignantly).--"Bottom! Have I an ass's head?"

VANCE.--"Immaterial! I can easily imagine that you have one. I want
merely an outline of figure,--something sprawling and ungainly."

LIONEL (sulkily).--"Much obliged to you; imagine that too."

VANCE.--"Don't be so disobliging. It is necessary that she should look
fondly at something,--expression in the eye." Lionel at once reclined
himself incumbent in a position as little sprawling and ungainly as he
could well contrive.

VANCE.--"Fancy, Miss Sophy, that this young gentleman is very dear to
you. Have you got a brother?"

SOPHY.--"Ah, no, sir."

VANCE.--"Hum. But you have, or have had, a doll?"

SOPHY.--"Oh, yes; Grandfather gave me one."

VANCE.--"And you were fond of that doll?"

SOPHY.--"Very."

VANCE.--"Fancy that young gentleman is your doll grown big, that it
is asleep, and you are watching that no one hurts it; Mr. Rugge, for