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A SHABBY GENTEEL STORY 55
Mr. Brandon was greatly amused by Fitch's prattle, and the
latter told him under what privations he had studied his art : how
he had starved for three years in Paris and Rome, while labouring
at his profession; how meanly jealous the Royal Academy was
which would never exhibit a single one of his pictures ; how he
had been driven from the Heternal City by the attentions of an
immense fat Mrs. Carrickfergus, who absolutely proposed marriage
to him ; and how he was at this moment (a fact of which Mr.
Brandon was already quite aware) madly and desperately in love
with one of the most beautiful maidens in this world. For Fitch,
having a mistress to his heart's desire, was boiling with impatience
to have a confidant ; what, indeed, would be the joy of love, if one
were not allowed to speak of one's feelings to a friend who could
know how to sympathise with them? Fitch was sure Brandon
did, because Brandon was the very first person with whom the
painter had talked since he had come to the resolution recorded in
the last chapter.
"I hope she is as rich as that unlucky Mrs. Carrickfergus,
whom you treated so cruelly ?" said the confidant, affecting entire
ignorance.
" Rich, sir ? no, I thank Heaven, she has not a penny !" said
Fitch.
" I presume, then, you are yourself independent," said Brandon,
smiling ; "for in the marriage state, one or the other of the parties
concerned should bring a portion of the filthy lucre."
" Haven't I ray profession, sir ?" said Fitch majestically, having
declared five minutes before that he starved in his profession. " Do
you suppose a painter gets nothing 1 Haven't I horders from the
first people in Europe ?—commissions, sir, to hexecute 'istory-pieces,
battle-pieces, haltar-pieces ?"
"Master-pieces, I am sure," said Brandon, bowing politely;
"for a gentleman of your astonishing genius can do no other."
The delighted artist received this compliment with many blushes,
and vowed and protested that his performances were not reallyworthy
of such high praise ; but he fancied Mr. Brandon a great
connoisseur, nevertheless, and unburdened his mind to him in a
manner still more open. Fitch's sketch was by this time finished ;
and, putting his drawing implements together, he rose, and the
gentlemen walked away. The sketch was hugely admired by Mr.
Brandon, and when they came home, Fitch, culling it dexterously
out of his book, presented it in a neat speech to his friend, " the
gifted hamateur."
"The gifted hamateur" received the drawing with a profusion
of thanks, and so much did he value it, that he had actually