Be warned in time. Without a trace Of acquiescence on your face, Hear, in the waltz's breathing-space, His airy patter; Avoid the confidential nook; If, when you sing, you find his look Grow tender, close your music-book, And end the matter. IN THE ROYAL ACADEMY. HUGH (_on furlough_). HELEN (_his cousin_). HELEN. They have not come! And ten is past,-- Unless, by chance, my watch is fast; --Aunt Mabel surely told us "ten." HUGH. I doubt if she can do it, then. In fact, their train.... HELEN. That is,--you knew. How could you be so treacherous, Hugh? HUGH. Nay;--it is scarcely mine, the crime, One can't account for railway-time! Where shall we sit? Not here, I vote;-- At least, there's nothing here of note. HELEN. Then _here_ we'll stay, please. Once for all, I bar all artists,--great and small! From now until we go in June I shall hear nothing but this tune:-- Whether I like Long's "Vashti," or Like Leslie's "Naughty Kitty" more; With all that critics, right or wrong, Have said of Leslie and of Long.... No. If you value my esteem, I beg you'll take another theme; Paint me some pictures, if you will, But spare me these, for good and ill.... HUGH. "Paint you some pictures!" Come, that's kind! You know I'm nearly colour-blind. HELEN. Paint then, in words. You did before; Scenes at--where was it? Dustypoor? You know.... HUGH (_with an inspiration_). I'll try. HELEN. But mind they're pretty Not "hog hunts." ... HUGH. You shall be Committee, And say if they are "out" or "in." HELEN. I shall reject them all. Begin. HUGH. Here is the first. An antique Hall (Like Chanticlere) with panelled wall. A boy, or rather lad. A girl, Laughing with all her rows of pearl Before a portrait in a ruff. He meanwhile watches.... HELEN. That's enough, It wants "_verve_," "_brio_," "breadth," "design," ... Besides, it's English. I decline. HUGH. This is the next. 'Tis finer far: A foaming torrent (say Braemar). A pony, grazing by a boulder, Then the same pair, a little older, Left by some lucky chance together. He begs her for a sprig of heather.... HELEN. --"Which she accords with smile seraphic." I know it,--it was in the "Graphic." Declined. HUGH. Once more, and I forego All hopes of hanging, high or low: Behold the hero of the scene, In bungalow and palankeen.... HELEN. What!--all at once! But that's absurd;-- Unless he's Sir Boyle Roche's bird! HUGH.