"And what is that?" inquired Lady Fulkeward, with some curiosity.

"Ah! there is the difficulty! What is it that engrosses our fair
friend more than the looking-glass? I should like to know--but I
cannot find out. It is an enigma as profound as that of the
sphinx. Good-morning, Monsieur Gervase!"--and, turning round, he
addressed the artist, who just then stepped out on the terrace
carrying a paintbox and a large canvas strapped together in
portable form. "Are you going to sketch some picturesque corner of
the city?"

"No," replied Gervase, listlessly raising his white sun-hat to the
ladies present with a courteous, yet somewhat indifferent grace.
"I'm going to the Princess Ziska's. I shall probably get the whole
outline of her features this morning."

"A full-length portrait?" inquired the Doctor.

"I fancy not. Not the first attempt, at any rate--head and
shoulders only."

"Do you know where her house is?" asked Lord Fulkeward. "If you
don't, I'll walk with you and show you the way."

"Thanks--you are very good. I shall be obliged to you."

And raising his hat again he sauntered slowly off, young Fulkeward
walking with him and chatting to him with more animation than that
exhausted and somewhat vacant-minded aristocrat usually showed to