"I really tremble when I think of what that one picture cost me before I could call it mine.

A landscape by Hobbema; and the National Gallery bidding against me.

Never mind!" she concluded, consoling herself, as usual, with considerations that were beneath her.

"Hobbema will sell at my death for a bigger price than I gave for him--that's one comfort!" She looked again at Felix; a smile of mischievous satisfaction began to show itself in her face.

"Anything wrong with your watch-chain ?" she asked.
Felix, absently playing with his watch-chain, started as if his aunt had suddenly awakened him.