When do you begin your great work of art , Raphaella ? '' he asked , changing the subject abruptly after another pause , in which he had been wondering if Amy knew his secret and wanted to talk about it . `` Never , '' she answered , with a despondent but decided air . `` Rome took all the vanity out of me , for after seeing the wonders there , I felt too insignificant to live and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair . '' `` Why should you , with so much energy and talent ? '' `` That 's just why , because talent is n't genius , and no amount of energy can make it so . I want to be great , or nothing . I wo n't be a common-place dauber , so I do n't intend to try any more . '' `` And what are you going to do with yourself now , if I may ask ? '' `` Polish up my other talents , and be an ornament to society , if I get the chance . '' It was a characteristic speech , and sounded daring , but audacity becomes young people , and Amy 's ambition had a good foundation . Laurie smiled , but he liked the spirit with which she took up a new purpose when a long-cherished one died , and spent no time lamenting . `` Good ! And here is where Fred Vaughn comes in , I fancy . '' Amy preserved a discreet silence , but there was a conscious look in her downcast face that made Laurie sit up and say gravely , `` Now I 'm going to play brother , and ask questions . May I ? '' `` I do n't promise to answer . '' `` Your face will , if your tongue wo n't . You are n't woman of the world enough yet to hide your feelings , my dear . I heard rumors about Fred and you last year , and it 's my private opinion that if he had not been called home so suddenly and detained so long , something would have come of it , hey ? ''
`` That 's not for me to say , '' was XXXXX 's grim reply , but her lips would smile , and there was a traitorous sparkle of the eye which betrayed that she knew her power and enjoyed the knowledge .
Amy Fred Laurie Polish Raphaella Rome Vaughn dauber feelings something