Then the company went down the circular iron staircase to the studio.

Roma walked first with her rapid step, talking nervously and laughing

frequently.

The fountain stood in the middle of the floor, and the guests gathered

about it.

"Superb!" they exclaimed one after another. "Superb!" "Superb!"

The little Mayor was especially enthusiastic. He stood near the Baron,

and holding up both hands he cried:

"Marvellous! Miraculous! Fit to take its place beside the masterpieces

of old Rome!"

"But surely this is 'Hamlet' without the prince," said the Baron. "You

set out to make a fountain representing Christ and His twelve apostles,

and the only figure you leave unfinished is Christ Himself."

He pointed to the central figure above the dish, which was merely shaped

out and indicated.

"Not only one, your Excellency," said Don Camillo. "Here is another

unfinished figure--intended for Judas, apparently."

"I left them to the last on purpose," said Roma. "They were so

important, and so difficult. But I have studies for both of them in the

boudoir, and you shall give me your advice and opinion."

"The saint and the satyr, the God and the devil, the betrayed and the

betrayer--what subjects for the chisel of the artist!" said Don Camillo.

"Just so," said the Mayor. "She must do the one with all the emotions of

love, and the other with all the faculties of hate."

"Not that art," said Don Camillo, "has anything to do with life--that is

to say, real life...."

"Why not?" said Roma sharply. "The artist has to live in the world, and

he isn't blind. Therefore, why shouldn't he describe what he sees around

him?"

"But is that art? If so, the artist is at liberty to give his views on

religion and politics, and by the medium of his art he may even express

his private feelings--return insults and wreak revenge."

"Certainly he may," said Roma; "the greatest artists have often done

so." Saying this, she led the way upstairs, and the others followed with

a chorus of hypocritical approval.

"It's only human, to say the least." "Of course it is!" "If she's a

woman and can't speak out, or fight duels, it's a lady-like way, at all

events." And then further tittering, tapping of fans, and significant

nods at Rossi when his back was turned.

Two busts stood on pedestals in the boudoir. One of them was covered

with a damp cloth, the other with a muslin veil. Going up to the latter

first, Roma said, with a slightly quavering voice:




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