Frederic Vernon stared in amazement, as she put in his hands two fifty-dollar bills.
"A hundred dollars!" he ejaculated.
"Yes."
"Do you know that I have agreed to paint Miss Framley's portrait for twenty dollars?"
"I am sorry to hear it. I propose to pay a good price for good work. There is my card. Be kind enough to apprise me when you are ready for me."
"Miss Dearborn," said the artist, his face lighting up with gratitude, "you have done a great favor to a struggling man. Miss Framley beat me down, while you offer to pay a price such as only an artist of established reputation would dare to charge."
"I'm only anticipating matters a little," said Grace, smiling, as she left the studio.
"God bless her!" ejaculated the artist, fervently. "I was almost discouraged, but now hope lights my pathway. I will move mother out of that dingy room into a lighter and more cheerful apartment."