in no other way disturb his wife's position. But it seemed to
catch the eye of the painter's wife with a special significancy. She
looked straight before her for an instant, and then, with a swift and
stealthy movement, took hold of her husband's hand below the table.
Alas! she might have spared herself the dexterity. For the poor fellow
was so overcome by this caress that he stopped with his mouth open in
the middle of a word, and by the expression of his face plainly declared
to all the company that his thoughts had been diverted into softer
channels.

If it had not been rather amiable, it would have been absurdly droll.
His wife at once withdrew her touch; but it was plain she had to exert
some force. Thereupon the young man coloured and looked for a moment
beautiful.

Leon and Elvira both observed the by-play, and a shock passed from one
to the other; for they were inveterate match-makers, especially between
those who were already married.

"I beg your pardon," said Leon suddenly. "I see no use in pretending.
Before we came in here we heard sounds indicating--if I may so express
myself--an imperfect harmony."

"Sir----" began the man.

But the woman was beforehand.

"It is quite true," she said. "I see no cause to be ashamed. If my
husband is mad I shall at least do my utmost to prevent the
consequences. Picture to yourself, Monsieur and Madame," she went on,
for she passed Stubbs over, "that this wretched person--a dauber, an
incompetent, not fit to be a sign-painter--receives this morning an
admirable offer from an uncle--an uncle of my own, my mother's brother,
and tenderly beloved--of a clerkship with nearly a hundred and fifty
pounds a year, and that he--picture to yourself!--he refuses it! Why?
For the sake of Art, he says. Look at his art, I say--look at it! Is it
fit to be seen? Ask him--is it fit to be sold? And it is for this,
Monsieur and Madame, that he condemns me to the most deplorable
existence, without luxuries, without comforts, in a vile suburb of a
country town. _O non!_" she cried, "_non--je ne me tairai pas--c'est
plus fort que moi!_ I take these gentlemen and this lady for judges--is
this kind? is it decent? is it manly? Do I not deserve better at his
hands after having married him and"--(a visible hitch)--"done everything
in the world to please him?"

I doubt if there ever were a more embarrassed company at a table; every
one looked like a fool; and the husband like the biggest.

"