This fragment at any rate serves to show what a strong impression the picture had made upon Julie’s mind, so it will readily be imagined how intensely delighted she was when she unexpectedly made the acquaintance, at Manchester, of Mr. Galloway, who proved to have bought Mr. Watson’s work, and he was actually kind enough to lend the treasure to her for a considerable time, so that she could study it thoroughly, and make a most accurate copy of it.  Mr. Galloway’s friendship, and that of some other people whom she first met at Bowdon, were the brightest spots in Julie’s existence during this period.

In September 1878 the Ewings removed to Fulford, near York, and, on their arrival, Julie at once devoted herself to adorning her new home.  We were very much amused by the incredulous amazement betrayed on the stolid face of an elderly workman, to whom it was explained that he was required to distemper the walls of the drawing-room with a sole colour, instead of covering them with a paper, after the manner of all the other drawing-rooms he had ever had to do with.  But he was too polite to express his difference of taste by more than looks;—­and some days after the room was finished, with etchings duly hung on velvet in the panels of the door,—­the sole-coloured walls well covered with pictures, whence they stood out undistracted by gold and flowery paper patterns—­the distemperer called, and asked if he might be allowed, as a favour, to see the result of Mrs. Ewing’s arrangements.  I forget if he expressed anything by words, as he stood in the middle of the room twisting his hat in his fingers—­but we had learned to read his face, and Julie was fully satisfied with the fresh expression of amazement mixed with admiration which she saw there.

One theory which she held strongly about the decoration of houses was, that the contents ought to represent the associations of the inmates, rather than the skill of their upholsterer; and for this reason she would not have liked to limit any of her rooms to one special period, such as Queen Anne’s, unless she had possessed an old house, built at some date to which a special kind of furniture belonged.  She contrived to make her home at York a very pretty one; but it was of short duration, for in March 1879 Major Ewing was despatched to Malta, and Julie had to begin to pack her Lares and Penates once more.

It may, perhaps, be wondered that she was allowed to spend her time and strength on the labour of packing, which a professional worker would have done far better,—­but it is easier to see the mistakes of others than to rectify our own!  There were many difficulties to be encountered, not the least of these being Julie’s own strong will, and bad though it was, in one sense, for her to be physically over-tired, it was better than letting her be mentally so; and to an active brain like hers, “change of occupation” is the only possible form of “rest.”  Professional