“Oh! what an error I have committed!” came almost hissing through his teeth, at the same time that his arms were flung about his head with a gesture of impatience and despair. “I have sold myself—I have parted with my manliness—my independence—my right to breathe the air as a freeman. And what have I gained?”
“A true-hearted, loving woman.” A gentle voice seemed to whisper these words in his ears as his mind grew calmer.
“I have paid too high a price,” fell almost audibly from his lips. “And even she, when she knows the whole truth, will despise and turn from me. What madness!”
For half an hour the young man remained in a state of great excitement. After that he grew calmer, and sitting down before his easel, took up his pallet and brushes and tried to work on a picture that he was painting. But his thoughts were too much disturbed.
“I have promised to return the two hundred dollars to-morrow morning, and I must keep my word to him if I steal the amount! When that obligation is removed we are no longer friends.”
As Ellison said this he threw down his pallet and brushes, and springing from his chair, resumed his hurried walk about the door of his room.
While thus occupied, a gentleman, accompanied by a lady, entered and asked to see some of his pictures.
“What is your price for a portrait of this size?” was asked after a number of paintings had been examined.
For a moment Ellison hesitated, and then replied —
“Fifty dollars.”