144 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.
man of nobility of mind and ambition. The compact fore- head, the thick black hair, the perfect nose suggestive of the keystone to the Gothic arch, as Lavater regarded it the dark, steadfast eyes, the strong hands with the long dexter- ous fingers, the well-proportioned limbs, moderate breadth of shoulder with narrow hips and easy graceful movements, all belonging to masculine beauty, and to a nature of keen sensibilities. Meeting Philip for the first time, you would have regarded him as a young man out of the common ; but you might have credited him with nursing an ambi- tion he could not realize, or with a melancholy turn of disposition qualities which are not without attraction in the young, who are just beginning to realize the respon- sibilities of existence.
There was perhaps a further touch of weakness in Philip's individual characteristics namely, in his gait and manner. He did not walk straight and direct to anything : there was a something akin to feline gracefulness in his movements. He approached an object with a certain swerve of motion, as if he, more or less, walked in curves, as graceful actors do ; and this also was characteristic of his mode of thought. It was to the line of retreat in the chin, its slight under- size, that physiognomists would credit this peculiarity, combined with a strong imagination not under the full control of the logical or executive faculties.
But these very weaknesses helped in many respects to add to the attractiveness of Philip's work and conversation. They made, for instance, Dick Chetwynd feel perfectly safe in giving him advice, and added to Dick's satisfaction with the young fellow's matrimonial engagement to a pretty, sensible girl not likely to be led away by will-o'-the-wisps, and with sufficient money in the three per cents to give stability to his social and domestic position.
Philip, having laid his palette and brushes down by the easel, took from his pocket a cigar case, selected a cigar,
