It was decided, therefore, that he should have a course of tuition in the language.

A teacher was engaged, and Edward began a resolute attack upon the linguistic _chevaux de frise_ which had proved so troublesome an impediment--a move which brought him, unexpectedly enough, to an important crisis in his affairs.
On one occasion it happened that, during these lessons in French, he was varying the monotony of a study hour by drawing, under cover of his lesson-book, a portrait of his teacher, whose most striking physical characteristic was a nose of extravagant bulk.

He was detected just as he was completing the sketch, and was asked, much to his confusion, to exhibit the result.

It appears to have been a remarkable piece of work as well as an excellent likeness, for the subject of it was eager to know whether or not MacDowell had studied drawing, and, if not, how he acquired his proficiency.

Moreover, he insisted on keeping the sketch.