your features to my canvas. I am aware that you are not in strong
health, and that your face has not that roundness and colour
formerly habitual to it. But I am not an admirer of the milkmaid
type of beauty. Everywhere I seek for intelligence, for thought, for
inward refinement--in short, mademoiselle, you have the face of one
whom the inner soul consumes, and, as such, may I plead again with
you to give me a little of your spare time? YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT,
I ASSURE YOU."

These last words were uttered in a lower tone and with singular
impressiveness. I rose from my seat and looked at him steadily; he
returned me glance for glance, A strange thrill ran through me,
followed by that inexplicable sensation of absolute calm that I had
before experienced. I smiled--I could, not help smiling.

"I will come to-morrow," I said.

"A thousand thanks, mademoiselle! Can you be here at noon?"

I looked inquiringly at Amy, who clapped her hands with delighted
enthusiasm.

"Of course! Any time you like, signor. We will arrange our
excursions so that they shall not interfere with the sittings. It
will be most interesting to watch the picture growing day by day.
What will you call it, signor? By some fancy title?"

"It will depend on its appearance when completed," he replied, as he
threw open the doors of the studio and bowed us out with his usual
ceremonious politeness.