"He has such a bad face. You should be more careful about the men you engage to pose for you."
"And why, Arthur?"
"Because you lead such an unprotected life in that terrible old ruin."
"What a fanciful creature you are, Northcote. As if there was anything to be gained in molesting a beggarly artist in an inaccessible fortress. You have never seen my tower, or you would not think that it would be an attractive spot to thieves."
"Did you not hear," continued Northcote, "of that case of abduction in Cathgate County last week? A man was carried off by a pair of brigands, and kept for a week until a large sum of money was paid for his ransom."
"What manner of man was he?"
"The president of the county bank."
"Well, my dear Arthur, when I become a bank president, or even a railroad treasurer, I will take better care of my worthless self. At present I am not a promising prize to the most sanguine kidnapper. I can fancy your feelings on receiving a notice that, unless five thousand dollars be left in the hollow of a blasted pine-tree on the high-road at San Rosario, a slice of my right ear would be forwarded by way of a reminder! When are you coming out to pass the night with me?"
"When I have sold my Diana, or when Patrick Shallop gives me an order for a life-size statue of himself."
"Come with me to-day. It will do you good to pass an afternoon in the woods."