THE CAPITOLINE VENUS. 225 



broken-legged statue aboard, and drove off, whistling low and tranquilly. He left 

 the artist at his lodgings, and drove off and disappeared down the Via Quirinalis 

 with the statue. 



CHAPTER IV. 



\Scene — The Studio.\ 



"The six months will be up at two- o'clock to-day ! Oh, agony! My life is 

 blighted. I would that I were dead. I had ho supper yesterday. I have had no 

 breakfast to-day. I dare not enter an eating-house. And hungry .' — don't mention 

 it ! My bootmaker duns me to death — my tailor duns me — my landlord haunts 

 me. I am miserable. I haven't seen John since that awful day. She smiles on 

 me tenderly when we meet in the great thoroughfares, but her old flint of a father 

 makes her look in the other direction in short order. Now who is knocking at 

 that door.' Who is come to persecute me .' That malignant villain the bootmaker, 

 I'll warrant. Come in!" 



" Ah, happiness attend your highness — Heaven be propitious to your grace ! I 

 have brought my lord's new boots— ah, say nothing about the pay, there is no hurry, 

 none in the world. Shall be proud if my noble lord will continue to honor me with 

 his custom — ah, adieu !" 



" Brought the boots himself! Don't want his pay ! Takes his -leave with a bow 

 and a scrape fit to honor majesty withal ! Desires a continuance of my custom ! 

 Is the world coming to an end ? Of all the come in!" 



" Pardon, signor, but I have brought your new suit of clothes for " 



''Come in!!" 



"A thousand pardons for this intrusion, your worship! But I have prepared 

 the beautiful suite of rooms below for you — this wretched den is but ill suited 

 to " 



''Comein! ! !" 



" I have called to say that your credit at our bank, sometime since unfortunately 

 interrupted, is entirely and most satisfactorily restored, and we shall be most happy 

 if you will draw upon us for any " 



"Come in!!!!" 

 15 



