He had never mentioned the subject in his letters, and it had been more and more evident that Mrs.Stanhope meant to educate the two children, as she would have done her own, in various branches, without any view to a special training for a life-work.

Emma feared that Fani would lose his ambition to be an artist, and she set herself to work to counteract this danger.

She had heard of a book called the "Lives of Celebrated Painters," and she did not rest till her aunt promised to procure it for her at Christmas; for she thought it would inspire Fani with fresh enthusiasm to learn how artists had become great and celebrated.

She now brought the book with her, and told Fani about it, in the hope that it would serve as a spur to arouse his dormant energies.

What was her astonishment when Fani pushed the book away, and broke out passionately:-- "No, no; I will not read it! I will try not to think of it at all! You see, Emma, I have a drawing lesson every day; only now of course I do not, while you are here on a visit.