a most curious and interesting country. Here we are, and I mean to enjoy
it."

His companion turned away with an impatient step, but presently came
back. "High spirits are doubtless an excellent thing," she said; "but
you give one too much of them, and I can't see that they have done you
any good."

The young man stared, with lifted eyebrows, smiling; he tapped his
handsome nose with his pencil. "They have made me happy!"

"That was the least they could do; they have made you nothing else. You
have gone through life thanking fortune for such very small favors that
she has never put herself to any trouble for you."

"She must have put herself to a little, I think, to present me with so
admirable a sister."

"Be serious, Felix. You forget that I am your elder."

"With a sister, then, so elderly!" rejoined Felix, laughing. "I hoped we
had left seriousness in Europe."

"I fancy you will find it here. Remember that you are nearly thirty
years old, and that you are nothing but an obscure Bohemian--a penniless
correspondent of an illustrated newspaper."

"Obscure as much as you please, but not so much of a Bohemian as you
think. And not at all penniless! I have a hundred pounds in my pocket.
I have an engagement to make fifty sketches, and I mean to paint the