than the value of the metal. Rothsay bought it. His knowledge of
chemistry enabled him to put his suspicion successfully to the
test; and one of the guests on board the yacht--a famous French
artist--had declared his conviction that the picture now revealed
to view was a genuine work by Guido. Such an opinion as this
convinced me that it would be worth while to submit my friend's
discovery to the judgment of other experts. Consulted
independently, these critics confirmed the view taken by the
celebrated personage who had first seen the work. This result
having been obtained, Rothsay asked my advice next on the
question of selling his picture. I at once thought of my uncle.
An undoubted work by Guido would surely be an acquisition to his
gallery. I had only (in accordance with his own request) to let
him know that my friend had returned to England. We might take
the picture with us, when we received our invitation to Lord
Lepel's house.

FOURTH EPOCH.

My uncle's answer arrived by return of post. Other engagements
obliged him to defer receiving us for a month. At the end of that
time, we were cordially invited to visit him, and to stay as long
as we liked.

In the interval that now passed, other events occurred--still of
the trifling kind.

One afternoon, just as I was thinking of taking my customary ride
in the park, the servant appeared charged with a basket of
flowers, and with a message from Mrs. Rymer, requesting me to