It is all covered with ivy, and the stones are moss-grown, and the gray walls show through in places, and in the setting sun they flame with crimson; you've no idea how beautiful it is! I saw it once from the steamboat.

It was splendid! Now listen! The last lesson I took, the teacher asked me whether I was in earnest when I said that I wanted to be a painter; and I said yes, but that I could never be allowed to; and I told him just what I have told you.

He understood at once; and he said that I mustn't, of course, do anything to displease Mrs.Stanhope; but that possibly she might in some way be led to have the same wish.

He advised me to make a drawing of something very beautiful; and he said he would send it to Duesseldorf, where they do something or other with a whole lot of drawings, and the best one gets a prize.

If mine got a prize, Mrs.Stanhope might change her mind; and if it didn't, I could try again.