VANCE.--"Really you are too kind, but I am not even dressed for--"

LADY SELINA.--"So charmingly dressed-so picturesque! Besides, what
matters? Every one knows who you are. Where on earth have you been?"

VANCE.--"Rambling about, taking sketches."

LADY SELINA (directing her eyeglass towards Lionel and Sophy, who stood
aloof).--"But your companions, your brother? and that pretty little
girl,--your sister, I suppose?"

VANCE (shuddering).--"No, not relations. I took charge of the boy,--
clever young fellow; and the little girl is--"

LADY SELINA.--"Yes. The little girl is--"

VANCE.--"A little girl, as you see: and very pretty, as you say,--subject
for a picture."

LADY SELINA (indifferently).--"Oh, let the children go and amuse
themselves somewhere. Now we have found you; positively you are our
prisoner."

Lady Selina Vipont was one of the queens of London; she had with her that
habit of command natural to such royalties. Frank Vance was no tuft-
hunter, but once under social influences, they had their effect on him,
as on most men who are blest with noses in the air. Those great ladies,
it is true, never bought his pictures; but they gave him the position
which induced others to buy them. Vance loved his art; his art needed