But in walking about the museum with Mr.Bradshaw, he was the most brilliant of ciceroni.

Jacob was not wholly credulous, for he had spoken of the young man with Mrs.Lessingham, but he found such companionship entertaining enough from time to time, and Clifford's knowledge of Italian was occasionally a help to him.
A day or two of moderate intimacy with any person whatsoever always led Clifford to a revelation of his private circumstances; it was not long before Mr.Bradshaw was informed not only of Mr.Hibbert's harshness, but of the painful treatment to which Clifford was being subjected at the hands of Mrs.Denyer and Madeline.

The latter point was handled with a good deal of tact, for Clifford had it in view' that through Mr.
Bradshaw his words would one way or other reach Mrs.Lessingham, and so perchance come to Miss Doran's ears.

He made no unworthy charges; he spoke not in anger, but in sorrow; he was misunderstood, he was depreciated, by those who should have devoted themselves to supporting his courage under adversity.

And as he talked, he became the embodiment of calm magnanimity; the rhetoric which was meant to impress his listener had an exalting effect upon himself--as usual.
"You mean to hold out, then ?" asked the bluff Jacob, with a smile which all but became a chuckle.
"I am an artist," was the noble reply.