genius. I am no judge of sculpture, and will not, therefore,
pronounce an opinion; but many who considered themselves to be
judges, declared that it was a "goodish head and shoulders," and
nothing more. I merely mention the fact, as it was on the strength
of that head and shoulders that O'Brien separated himself from a
throng of others such as himself in Rome, walked solitary during the
days, and threw himself at the feet of various ladies when the days
were over. He had ridden on the shoulders of his bust into a
prominent place in our circle, and there encountered much feminine
admiration--from Mrs. General Talboys and others.

Some eighteen or twenty of us used to meet every Sunday evening in
Mrs. Mackinnon's drawing-room. Many of us, indeed, were in the
habit of seeing each other daily, and of visiting together the
haunts in Rome which are best loved by art-loving strangers; but
here, in this drawing-room, we were sure to come together, and here
before the end of November, Mrs. Talboys might always be found, not
in any accustomed seat, but moving about the room as the different
male mental attractions of our society might chance to move
themselves. She was at first greatly taken by Mackinnon,--who also
was, I think, a little stirred by her admiration, though he stoutly
denied the charge. She became, however, very dear to us all before
she left us, and certainly we owed to her our love, for she added
infinitely to the joys of our winter.

"I have come here to refresh myself," she said to Mackinnon one
evening--to Mackinnon and myself; for we were standing together.

"Shall I get you tea?" said I.