ter-press, I think; though still somewhat
lacking in freedom and looseness, and especially in the sense of
tone. The feeling for beauty and character in them (especially that
of women and children) is so utterly beyond anything else of the
kind that has ever been attempted, that technical considerations
no longer count. I think you will find all of us, in or outside the
Academy, agreed upon this point.

"I saw very little of him after he bought Marsfield; but I sometimes
meet his sons and daughters, _de par le monde_.

"And what a pleasure that is to an artist of my particular bent you
can readily understand. I would go a good way to see or talk to any
daughter of Josselin's; and to hear Mrs. Trevor sing, what miles!
I'm told the grandchildren are splendid--chips of the old block too.

"And now, my dear Maurice, I will do my best; you may count upon
that, for old-times' sake, and for Josselin's, and for that of '_La
belle dame sans merci_,' whom I used to admire so enthusiastically.
It grieves me deeply to think of them both gone--and all so sudden!

"Sincerely yours,

"George du Maurier.

"P. S.--Very many thanks for the Chateau Yquem and the Steinberger
Cabinet; _je tacherai de ne pas en abuser trop!_

"I send you a little sketch of Graham-Reece (Lord Ironsides), taken
by me on a little bridge in Duesselthal, near Duesseldorf. He stood
for me there in 1860. It was thought very like at the time."

* * * * *

When the Josselins came back from their honeymoon and were settled
in Southampton Row many people of all kinds called on the newly
married pair; invitations came pouring in, and they went very much
into the world. They were considered the handsomest couple in London
that year, and became quite the fashion, and were asked everywhere,
and made much of, and raved about, and had a glorious time till the
following season, when somebody else became the fashion, and they
had grown tired of being lionized themselves, and discovered they
were people of no social importance whatever, as Leah had long
perceived; and it did them good.

Barty was in his element. The admiration his wife excited filled him
with delight; it was a kind of reflected glory, that pleased him
more than any glory he could possibly achieve for himself.

I doubt if Leah was quit