Sketches New and Old

  THE CAPITOLINE VENUS

  CHAPTER I

  [Scene-An Artist's Studio in Rome.]

  "Oh, George, I do love you!"

  "Bless your dear heart, Mary, I know that--why is your father soobdurate?"

  "George, he means well, but art is folly to him--he only understandsgroceries. He thinks you would starve me."

  "Confound his wisdom--it savors of inspiration. Why am I not amoney-making bowelless grocer, instead of a divinely gifted sculptorwith nothing to eat?"

  "Do not despond, Georgy, dear--all his prejudices will fade away as soonas you shall have acquired fifty thousand dol--"

  "Fifty thousand demons! Child, I am in arrears for my board!"