But I am willing to think no more about it; and I will do whatever you wish, to the very best of my ability." "I have been talking to your teacher," continued Mrs.Stanhope, "and he says, if your industry and perseverance are as great as your talent, you will be a successful artist.

And as you care so much about it, I am sure you will be persevering.

So I have decided to take you with us to Florence this winter, where you will have good instruction in drawing, and also the benefit of the galleries.

You will go on with your studies too, for I want you to be a well educated man as well as an artist, and you are too young yet to give up school-work.

If you do well, and at the end of a year or two still persevere in your desire to become a painter, you shall go to an art-school, at Duesseldorf or somewhere else, and take a course of several years.