"But, Grandy, you have said every day since the first walk you took after coming here, that if you had three pounds, we could get away and live by ourselves and make a fortune!" "A fortune!--that's a strong word: let it stand. A fortune! But still, Sophy, though we should be free of this thrice-execrable Rugge, the scheme I have in my head lies remote from daisies and butterflies. We should have to dwell in towns and exhibit!" "On a stage, Grandy?" said Sophy, resigned, but sorrowful. "No, not exactly: a room would do." "And I should not wear those horrid, horrid dresses, nor mix with those horrid, horrid painted people." "No." "And we should be quite alone, you and I?" "Hum! there would be a third." "Oh, Grandy, Grandy!" cried Sophy, in a scream of shrill alarm. "I know, I know; you are thinking of joining us with the Pig-faced Lady!" MR. WAIFE (not a muscle relaxed).--"A well-spoken and pleasing gentlewoman. But no such luck: three pounds would not buy her." SOPHIE.--"I am glad of that: I don't care so much for the Mermaid; she's dead and stuffed. But, oh!" (another scream) "perhaps 't is the Spotted Boy?" MR. WAIFE.--"Calm your sanguine imagination; you aspire too high! But this I will tell you, that our companion, whatsoever or whosoever that companion may be, will be one you will like." "I don't believe it," said Sophy, shaking her head. "I only like you. But who is it?" "Alas!" said Mr. Waife, "it is no use pampering ourselves with vain hopes: the three pounds are not forthcoming. You heard what that brute Rugge said, that the gentleman who wanted to take your portrait had called on him this morning, and offered 10s. for a sitting,--that is, 5s. for you, 5s. for Rugge; and Rugge thought the terms reasonable." "But I said I would not sit." "And when you did say it, you heard Rugge's language to me--to you. And now you must think of packing up, and be off at dawn with the rest. And," added the comedian, colouring high, "I must again parade, to boors and clowns, this mangled form; again set myself out as a spectacle of bodily infirmity,--man's last degradation. And this I have come to--I!" "No, no, Grandy, it will not last long! we will get the three pounds. We have always hoped on!--hope still! And, besides, I am sure those gentlemen will come here tonight. Mr. Merle said they would, at ten o'clock. It is near ten now, and your tea cold as a stone." She hung on his neck caressingly, kissing his furrowed brow, and leaving a tear there, and thus coaxed him till he set-to quietly at his meal; and Sophy shared it--though she had no appetite in sorrowing for him--but to keep him company; that done, she lighted his pipe with the best canaster, --his sole luxury and expense; but she always contrived that he should afford it.