Sapphira Volume 2; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt: ...them. All the same these unpleasant compatriots of Corot and Millet were painters, Agnes, though they were not nature's gentlemen, and their work was art, even I could see that. Why the shop in the Place can take my bits and leave theirs, if the sketches were offered to the shopman, I cannot imagine." "You are not fair to yourself," said Agnes, jealous for her sister. But Greorgie was perfectly fair, and she was clear-sighted and correct in the conclusion at which she arrived: "What I find is making a sale for copies of pretty bits of the Cathedral just now, is that the present bishop's jubilee is about to be celebrated. He is a popular old man, and instead of attempting to murder him as the inhabitants of Quatr'eaux did to the mediaeval bishop whose statue is in the market-place, their descendants are busy buying little pictures of the present bishop's Cathedral as memorials of his rule. Naturally the great proportion of the flock prefer prettiness and pettiness to something rough, sombre and grand. I have come at a lucky time for me, and for all of us, and I must make hay while the sun shines." Georgie might be matter-of-fact and mercenary, but she shook off her idleness and was also diligent and in earnest in what she saw bear fruit. The out-of-door occupation superseded for the moment the household cares, and was at least a fine promoter of the worker's health of body and peace of mind. To Agnes's horror she heard Georgie say carelessly, one day, that she had never been so busy and so happy in her life. Then Pat who was present chimed in, with his keen enjoyment of Dr. de Vitre's laboratory. Oh, what could they be thinking of? It was like the nearest relatives and dearest friends of the newly dead finding life fuller than before...