Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

for a few moments in silence.) Ah! by Jove, Gervaise! some one sent you down the wrong turn: you ought to have been a painter. What a sky! And what a sea! Those blues and greens-rich as a peacock's feather-eyes! Superb! A tropical night! The dolphin at its last gasp in the west, and all above, an abyss of blue, at the bottom of which the stars lie like gems in the mineshaft of the darkness!

Ger. You seem to have taken the wrong turn,Warren! You ought to have been a poet. War. Such a thing as that puts the slang out of a fellow's head.

Ger. I'm glad you like it. I do myself, though it falls short of my intent sadly enough.

War. But I don't for the life of me see what this has to do with that. You said something about a mould.

Ger. I will tell you what I meant. Every individual aspect of nature looks to me as if

about to give birth to a human form, embodying that of which itself only dreams. In this way landscape-painting is, in my eyes, the mother of sculpture. That Apollo is of the summer dawn; that Aphrodite of the moonlit sea; this picture represents the mother of my Psyche.

War. Under the sheet there?

Ger. Yes. You shall see her some day ; but to show your work too soon, is to uncork your champagne before dinner.

War. Well, you've spoiled my picture. I shall go home and scrape my canvas to the bone.

Ger. On second thoughts, I will show you my Psyche. (Uncovers the clay. WAR. stands in admiration. Enter WATERFIELD by same

door.)

Wat. Ah, Warren! here you are before me! Mr. Gervaise, I hope I see you well.

War. Mr. Waterfield-an old friend of yours, Gervaise, I believe.

Ger. I cannot appropriate the honour.

Wat. I was twice in your studio at Rome, but it's six months ago, Mr. Gervaise. Ha! (using his eye-glass) What a charming figure! Very

A Psyche! Wings suggested by

skilful! Contour lovely!

Altogether an

tique in pose and expression!-Is she a

commission?

Ger. No.

Wat. Then I beg you will consider her

one.

Ger. Excuse me; I never work on commission-at least never in this kind. A bust or two I have done.

Wat. By Jove!--I should like to see your model! This is perfect. Are you going to carve her?

Ger. Possibly.

Wat. Uncommissioned?

Ger. If at all.

Wat. Well, I can't call it running any

risk. What lines! You will let me drop

IF I HAD A FATHER.

85

in some day when you've got your model here?

[blocks in formation]

Wat. No model? Ha ha! You must excuse me! (GER. takes up the wet sheet.) I understand. Reasons. A little mystery enhances eh ?-is convenient too-balks intrusion-throws the drapery over the mignonette. I understand. (GER. covers the clay.) Oh! pray don't carry out my figure. That

is a damper now!

Ger. I am not fond of acting the showman. You must excuse me: I am busy.

Wat. Ah well!-some other time-when

you've got on with her a bit.

ing. Ta, ta, Warren.

Good morn

Ger. Good morning. This way, if you please. (Shows him out by the door to the

street.) How did the fellow find his way here?

War. I am the culprit, I'm sorry to say. He asked me for your address, and I gave it him.

Ger. How long have you known him?
War. A month or two.

Ger. Don't bring him here again.

War. Don't say I brought him. I didn't do that. But I'm afraid you've not seen the last of him.

Ger. Oh yes,

I have! Old Martha would let in anybody, but I've got a man now. William!

Enter COL. GERVAISE dressed as a servant.

You didn't see the gentleman just gone, I'm afraid, William ?

Col. G. No, sir.

Ger. Don't let in any one calling himself Waterfield.

Col. G. No, sir.

Ger. I'm going out with Mr. Warren. I shall be back shortly.

« AnteriorContinuar »