CHAPTER XI.
Progress of the Fine Arts .-- Biographical anecdotes .-- Fluctuations in the value of money .-- Speculative tendencies of the time.
Whatever the shock which the brutality of the Remorseless Baron inflicted on the nervous system of the persecuted but triumphant Bandit, it had certainly subsided by the time Vance and Lionel entered Waife's apartment; for they found grandfather and grandchild seated near the open window, at the corner of the table (on which they had made room for their operations by the removal of the carved cocoanut, the crystal egg, and the two flower-pots), eagerly engaged, with many a silvery laugh from the lips of Sophy, in the game of dominos.
Mr.Waife had been devoting himself, for the last hour and more, to the instruction of Sophy in the mysteries of that intellectual amusement; and such pains did he take, and so impressive were his exhortations, that his happy pupil could not help thinking to herself that this was the new art upon which Waife depended for their future livelihood.

She sprang up, however, at the entrance of the visitors, her face beaming with grateful smiles; and, running to Lionel and taking him by the hand, while she courtesied with more respect to Vance, she exclaimed, "We are free! thanks to you, thanks to you both! He is gone! Mr.Rugge is gone!" "So I saw on passing the green; stage and all," said Vance, while Lionel kissed the child and pressed her to his side.

It is astonishing how paternal he felt,--how much she had crept into his heart.
"Pray, sir," asked Sophy, timidly, glancing to Vance, "has the Norfolk Giant gone too ?" VANCE.--"I fancy so--all the shows were either gone or going." SOPHY.--"The Calf with Two Heads ?" VANCE.--"Do you regret it ?" SOPHY.--"Oh, dear, no." Waife, who after a profound bow, and a cheery "Good day, gentlemen," had hitherto remained silent, putting away the dominoes, now said, "I suppose, sir, you would like at once to begin your sketch ?" VANCE.--"Yes; I have brought all my tools; see, even the canvas.

I wish it were larger, but it is all I have with me of that material: 't is already stretched; just let me arrange the light." WAIFE.--"If you don't want me, gentlemen, I will take the air for half-an-hour or so.

In fact, I may now feel free to look after my investment." SOPHY (whispering Lionel).--"You are sure the Calf has gone as well as the Norfolk Giant ?" Lionel wonderingly replied that he thought so; and Waife disappeared into his room, whence he soon emerged, having doffed his dressing-gown for a black coat, by no means threadbare, and well brushed.