My painting materials were laid together on the corner table, ready for to-morrow's use, and only covered with a cloth.

He soon spied them out, and putting down the candle, deliberately proceeded to cast them into the fire: palette, paints, bladders, pencils, brushes, varnish: I saw them all consumed: the palette-knives snapped in two, the oil and turpentine sent hissing and roaring up the chimney.

He then rang the bell.
'Benson, take those things away,' said he, pointing to the easel, canvas, and stretcher; 'and tell the housemaid she may kindle the fire with them: your mistress won't want them any more.' Benson paused aghast and looked at me.
'Take them away, Benson,' said I; and his master muttered an oath.
'And this and all, sir ?' said the astonished servant, referring to the half-finished picture.
'That and all,' replied the master; and the things were cleared away.
Mr.Huntingdon then went up-stairs.

I did not attempt to follow him, but remained seated in the arm-chair, speechless, tearless, and almost motionless, till he returned about half-an-hour after, and walking up to me, held the candle in my face and peered into my eyes with looks and laughter too insulting to be borne.

With a sudden stroke of my hand I dashed the candle to the floor.
'Hal-lo!' muttered he, starting back; 'she's the very devil for spite.
Did ever any mortal see such eyes ?--they shine in the dark like a cat's.
Oh, you're a sweet one!' So saying, he gathered up the candle and the candlestick.