Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/33

of mine with a very bad cold who is amusing himself with reciting verses. You recognize Ponsard’s style. But learn that you are in the studio of the painter-in-ordinary to Queen Pomaré, who is so much talked about just now.’ ‘Broum.’ ‘I am entrusted by her Majesty with the task of allegorically depicting seven theological virtues and not three, a number recognized as inadequate to equilibrize the seven deadly sins.’ ‘Broum, broum.’ ‘You see in what line I exercise my talents. If, therefore, you have not a pure conscience, a stainless soul, it will be useless to persist in your project of being painted by me. I would not guarantee the likeness and not even a vague family resemblance—you would turn my oil!’ Somewhat bewildered he replied, ‘I will do my best to—’ ‘Broum, broum.’ ‘Is your friend no better?’ he added. ‘No,’ I replied, ‘those verses from Lucrèce are so chilly. But we are losing time in vain discourses; let us seek a position suitable to a No. 20 canvas and that I can reproduce with my finest colors. The head a little less forward, if you please, more ease about the body. Please cast one of those looks that express all the joys of youth joined to those of a heart without remorse. Look pleasant, confound it, or I won’t begin.’

“Murger now issued from his hiding-place and said, in his natural voice: ‘The gentleman surely does not think of being painted in a tail-coat.’ ‘Is it not the fashion?’ asked Espérance Blanchon. I divined the need of a dress-coat felt by Murger to go and take tea that evening at an influential critic’s. We pleaded in favor of a frock-coat on account of the fuller folds of its draping. Murger offered his, which at once passed on to the gentleman’s back. This done, in the studio usually so noisy, nothing was heard but the scratching of the charcoal on the canvas. At half-past five the sun failed us. But it was important not