still studied constantly in the grand gallery, and other places, as
his means would admit, while he worked on in secret. He had
determined that his picture should be presented without a name, that
it might thus rise or fall honestly, upon its own merits.

The duke had offered a princely prize for the favored picture, to be
selected from out a collection to be exhibited to himself and court
on a certain day. The monarch was devotedly attached to the art, and
thus each year, by a like method, strove to encourage the talent and
industry of the students assembled at Florence. There were many
competitors among the artists of the city on the occasion alluded
to. Those who had gained renown in bygone years now took up the
brush anew, and pupils and masters strove alike for the enviable
goal.

And this was not so much for the mere winning of the prize-though
that was a princely object-but it was well-known that whoever
succeeded in the contest, established his fame at once in Italy, and
from that time forward could command his own terms for his pictures,
and find a ready sale, too, for as many as he chose to complete. It
was, in short, a diploma in art that was almost beyond value to the
ambitious students that had devoted themselves to art in Florence.

Carlton worked incessantly and in secret upon his picture, which was
of a most elaborate and original design. Alone in his humble
apartment he worked by himself, without any kind word of
encouragement, or skilful suggestion. The time for the exhibition
was fast approaching. Carlton was met by his former fellow-students
every morning,--pale and emaciated, returning from his frugal meal,
of which he was obliged to eat enough to serve him through the day;