generous fellow, too. Of course I shall pay what I owe you when I
sell a big picture. Meanwhile, you have the gratification of
supporting a man of genius, without the least inconvenience to
yourself. Excellent idea of yours to strike up a friendship, wasn't
it?"

The benefit was reciprocal. Warburton did not readily form
intimacies; indeed Godfrey Sherwood had till now been almost the
only man he called friend, and the peculiarity of his temper exposed
him to the risk of being too much alone. Though neither arrogant nor
envious, Will found little pleasure in the society of people who,
from any point of view, were notably his superiors; even as he could
not subordinate himself in money-earning relations, so did he become
ill-at-ease, lose all spontaneity, in company above his social or
intellectual level. Such a man's danger was obvious; he might, in
default of congenial associates, decline upon inferiors; all the
more that a softness of heart, a fineness of humanity, ever disposed
him to feel and show special kindness for the poor, the distressed,
the unfortunate. Sherwood's acquaintances had little attraction for
him; they were mostly people who lived in a luxurious way, went in
for sports, talked about the money market--all of which things
fascinated Godfrey, though in truth he was far from belonging by
nature to that particular world. With Franks, Will could be wholly
himself, enjoying the slight advantage of his larger means,
extending his knowledge without undue obligation, and getting all
the good that comes to a man from the exercise of his kindliest
feelings.

With less of geniality, because more occupied with himself, Norbert
Franks resembled his new friend in a distaste for ordinary social