‘I wish you would let Fulvia sit to me. I am very anxious to do a bust of her, or to try if I can do one.’ ‘You flatter us both, signora. I find that your amiability makes far too much of my little one. Her head will be turned, but I cannot refuse such a request.’ ‘Oh, thank you! Then she may come to the studio and give me some sittings?’ ‘With pleasure. Only--you will excuse me for reminding you that Fulvia is now betrothed to Mr. Marchmont, who therefore has the first claim upon her time. He will be enchanted, I am sure, that you should take her likeness, but at the same time he will doubtless often wish to be present when she is sitting to you.’ Minna had been prepared for something of the kind. ‘That I find perfectly natural under the circumstances,’ she said, with unmoved countenance and undiminished cheerfulness. ‘Fulvia can go with me to my studio, and Mr. Marchmont shall be admitted at whatever hour he likes to call--when she is there.’ ‘Then we may consider the matter settled,’ said the signora, with the air of a great lady graciously bestowing a favour on a very insignificant person, all of which Minna felt--felt to the marrow of her bones, and boiled with indignation at being thus patronized by that ‘creature’; but all of which she resolutely swallowed, and swallowed with a good grace, for the sake of getting this slight alleviation in Fulvia’s distasteful day’s duties. Thus it was arranged. From that day onwards Fulvia accompanied Minna nearly every morning to her studio, and the work of modelling her likeness began. Minna found it a perfectly fascinating occupation. She was never tired of watching the charming head, of causing it to turn this way and that, of trying the effect of different styles of hair-dressing, of different veils or hoods, or draperies cast over the glistening hair, of endeavouring to catch the effect of some fleeting smile, the curve of some dimple, or the steadfast melancholy of the beautiful mouth when sad thoughts had banished from its lips all attempt at a smile. She began models in two or three different attitudes, and was pleased with them all. The figure of the workman was shrouded away from sight. He must be left until better days--till the danger should be over and Fulvia safe and free from the hateful bonds which at present held her.