“I could do better now,” said the youth, as, rising on his elbow, he strained his eyes to examine her. “I could achieve a real success.” A deep flush covered her face at these words, so palpably alluding to herself, and she tried to repeat her question. “No,” said he, “I cannot say I have ever studied: all that I have done is full of faults; but I feel the spring of better things within me. Tell me, is this _your_ home?” “Yes,” said she, smiling faintly. “I live in the villa here with my aunt. She has purchased your statue, and wishes you to repair it, and then to engage in some other work for her. Let me assist you to rise; you seem very weak.” “I _am_ weak, and weary too,” said he, staggering to a seat. “I have overworked myself, perhaps,--I scarcely know. Do not take away your hand.” “And you are, then, the Sebastian Greppi of whom Carrara is so proud?” “They call me Sebastian Greppi; but I never heard that my name was spoken of with any honor.” “You are unjust to your own fame. We have often heard of you. See, here are two models taken from your works. They have been my studies for many a day. I have often wished to see you, and ask if my attempt were rightly begun. Then here is a hand.” “Let me model yours,” said the youth, gazing steadfastly at the beautifully shaped one which rested on the chair beside him. “Come with me to the villa, and I will present you to my aunt; she will be pleased to know you. There, lean on my arm, for I see you are very weak.” “Why are you so kind, so good to me?” said he, faintly, while a tear rose slowly to his eye. He arose totteringly, and, taking her arm, walked slowly along at her side. As they went, she spoke kindly and encouragingly to him, praised what she had seen of his works, and said how frequently she had wished to know him, and enjoy the benefit of his counsels in art. “For I, too,” said she, laughing, “would be a sculptor.” The youth stopped to gaze at her with a rapture he could not control. That one of such a station, surrounded by all the appliances of a luxurious existence, could devote herself to the toil and labor of art, implied an amount of devotion and energy that at once elevated her in his esteem. She blushed deeply at his continued stare, and turned at last away.