"I went with Grissel, the maid (who knew about _lochs_), to the Riffrath chemist's, but he didn't even know what we meant--so I told mamma I would go and get a _loch_ in Düsseldorf next day if she liked, with Uncle James. Mamma was only too delighted, for next day was Mr. Josselin's day for coming to Riffrath; but he didn't, for I wrote to him to meet me at twelve at a little picture-gallery I knew of in the Allee Strasse--as I wanted to have a talk with him. "Uncle James had caught a cold too, so I went with Grissel; and found a chemist who'd been in France, and knew what a loch was and made one for me; and then I went to the gallery, and there was poor Barty sitting on a crimson velvet couch, under a picture of Milton dictating _Paradise Lost_ to his daughters (I bought it afterwards, and I've got it now). "We said how d'ye do, and sat on the couch together, and I felt dreadfully nervous and ashamed. "Then I said: "'You must think me very odd, Mr. Josselin, to ask you to meet me like this!' "'I think it's a very great honor!' he said; 'I only wish I deserved it.' "And then he said nothing for quite five minutes, and I think he felt as uncomfortable as I did. [Illustration: AM RHEIN "LED WE NOT THERE A JOLLY LIFE BETWIXT THE SUN AND SHADE?"] "'Captain Graham-Reece has asked me to be his wife, and I refused,' I said. "'Why did you refuse? He's one of the best fellows I've ever met,' said Barty. "'He's to be so rich, and so am I,' I said. "No answer. "'It would be right for me to marry a _poor_ man--man with brains and no money, you know, and help him to make his way.' "'Reece has plenty of brains too,' said Barty. "'Oh, Mr. Josselin--don't misunderstand me'--and then I began to stammer and look foolish. "'Miss Royce--I've only got £15 in the world, and with that I mean to go to London and be an artist; and comfort myself during the struggle by the delightful remembrance of Riffrath and Reece and yourself--and the happy hope of meeting you both again some day, when I shall no longer be the poor devil I am now, and am quite content to be! And when you and he are among the great of the earth, if you will give me each a commission to paint your portraits I will do my very best!' (and he smiled his irresistible smile). 'You will be kind, I am sure, to Mr. Nobody of Nowhere, the famous portrait-painter--who doesn't even bear his father's name--as he has no right to it.' "I could have flung my arms round his neck and kissed him! What did _I_ care about his father's name? "'Will you think me dreadfully bold and indiscreet, Mr. Josselin, if I--if I--' (I stammered fearfully.) "'If you _what_, Miss Royce?' "'If I--if I ask you if you--if you--think Miss Gibson the most beautiful girl you ever saw?'