ave objected to live with any old woman, however objectionable. "And
we shall be able to have a small cottage somewhere," said Frank. "She
will keep the house in London, and we shall keep the cottage."

"And what on earth will you do with yourself?"

"I have thought of that too," said Frank. "I shall take to painting
pictures in earnest;--portraits probably. I don't see why I shouldn't
do as well as anybody else."

"That head of yours of old Mrs. Jones," said Imogene, "was a great
deal better than dozens of things one sees every year in the
Academy."

"Bother!" exclaimed Docimer.

"I don't see why he should not succeed, if he really will work hard,"
said Mrs. Docimer.

"Bother!"

"Why should it be bother?" said Frank, put upon his mettle. "Ever so
many fellows have begun and have got on, older than I am. And, even
if I don't earn anything, I've got an employment."

"And is the painting-room to be in Green Street also?" asked Docimer.

"Just at present I shall begin by copying things at the National
Gallery," explained Houston, who was not as yet prepared with his
answer to that difficulty as to a studio in the little house in Green
Street.

When the matter had been carried as far as this it was manifest
enough that anything like opposition to Imogene's marriage was to be
withdrawn. Houston remained at Tregothnan for a couple of days and
then returned to London. A week afterwards the Docimers followed
him, and early in the following June the two lovers, after all their
troubles and many vacillations, were made one at St. George's church,
to the great delight of Aunt Rosina. It cannot be said that the
affair gave equal satisfaction to all the bridegroom's friends, as
may be learnt from the following narration of two conversations which
took place in London very shortly after the wedding.

"Fancy after all that fellow Houston going and marrying such a
girl as Imogene Docimer, without a single blessed shilling to keep
themselves alive." This was said in the smoking-room of Houston's
club by Lord John Battledore to Tom Shuttlecock; but it was said
quite aloud, so that Houston's various acquaintances might be enabled
to offer their remarks on so interesting a subject; and to express
their pity for the poor object of their commiseration.

"It's the most infernal piece of folly I ever heard in my life," said
Shuttlecock. "There was that Tringle girl with two hundred thousand
pounds to be had just for the taking;