CHAPTER LXXVII.
FACE TO FACE.
"Signore Pittore! what brings a bird into the barn-yard ?" said Lawrence Newt, as Arthur Merlin entered his office.
"The hope of some crumb of comfort." "Do you dip from your empyrean to the cold earth--from the studio to a counting-room--to find comfort ?" asked Lawrence Newt, cheerfully.
Arthur Merlin looked only half sympathetic with his friend's gayety.
There was a wan air on his face, a piteous look in his eyes, which touched Lawrence.
"Why, Arthur, what is it ?" "Do you remember what Diana said ?" replied the painter.

"She said, 'I am sure that that silly shepherd will not sleep there forever.

Never fear, he will wake up.

Diana never looks or loves for nothing.'" Lawrence Newt gazed at him without speaking.
"Come," said Arthur, with a feeble effort at fun, "you have correspondence all over the world.

What is the news from Latmos?
Has the silly shepherd waked up ?" "My dear Arthur," said Mr.Newt, gravely, "I told you long ago that he was dead to all that heavenly splendor." The two men gazed steadfastly at each other without speaking.