value of money. And strange it is that, though states strive to fix for that commodity the most abiding standards, yet the value of money, to the individual who regards it, shifts and fluctuates, goes up and down half a dozen times a day. For my part, I honestly declare that there are hours in the twenty-four—such, for instance, as that just before breakfast, or that succeeding a page of this History in which I have been put out of temper with my performance and myself, when any one in want of five shillings at my disposal would find my value of that sum put it quite out of his reach; while at other times—just after dinner, for instance, or when I have effected what seems to me a happy stroke, or a good bit of color, in this historical composition—the value of those five shillings is so much depreciated that I might be—I think so, at least—I might be almost tempted to give them away for nothing. Undersome such mysterious influences in the money market, Vance, therefore, felt not the loss of his three sovereigns; and, returning to his easel, drove away Lionel and Sophy, who had taken that opportunity to gaze on the canvas.
"Don't do her justice at all," quoth Lionel; "all the features exaggerated."
"And you pretend to paint!" returned Vance, in great scorn, and throwing a cloth over his canvas. "To-morrow, Mr. Waife, the same hour. Now, Lionel, get your hat, and come away."
Vance carried off the canvas, and Lionel followed slowly, Sophy gazed at their departing forms from the open window; Waife stumped about the room, rubbing his hands—"He'll do; He'll do; I always thought so." Sophy turned—"Who'll do?—the young gentleman? Do what?"
Waife. "The young gentleman—as if I was thinking of him. Our new companion—I have been with him this last hour. Wonderful natural gifts."
Sophy (ruefully). "It is alive, then?"
Waife. "Alive! yes, I should think so."
Sophy (half-crying). "I'm very sorry; I know I shall hate it."
"Tut, darling—get me my pipe—I'm happy."
Sophy (cutting short her fit of ill-humor). "Are you?—then I am, and I will not hate it."
