"The mothers of those young ladies are foolish women; if they had come
straight to me I should have explained the matter. But I don't care a
straw about it! Life is short, anyhow."

And the painter snapped his fingers above his head. Luigi, who had
heard part of the conversation, came in.

"You have lost all your scholars," he cried. "I have ruined you!"

The artist took Luigi's hand and that of Ginevra, and joined them.

"Marry one another, my children," he said, with fatherly kindness.

They both dropped their eyes, and their silence was the first avowal
they had made to each other of their love.

"You will surely be happy," said Servin. "There is nothing in life to
equal the happiness of two beings like yourselves when bound together
in love."

Luigi pressed the hand of his protector without at first being able to
utter a word; but presently he said, in a voice of emotion:--

"To you I owe it all."

"Be happy! I bless and wed you," said the painter, with comic unction,
laying his hands upon the heads of the lovers.

This little jest put an end to their strained emotion. All three
looked at one another and laughed merrily. Ginevra pressed Luigi's