"I thank the master for this honor."
"Nay," answered the knightly Veronese; "it is I who have received. And
more, yet more would I ask. I know not if in this chamber of treasures I
may leave the trifle which I came to bring for the bambino?" he added
with hesitation, as he placed upon the table his little inlaid box of
baubles and his bunch of spicy flowers. "Yet it was a promise."
And while Girolamo listened in astonishment he told abruptly the story
of his meeting with Marina and the little one, unconsciously weaving his
thoughts into such a picture as he talked, that Girolamo recognized the
inspiration and was already won to plead his cause.
"This," continued the artist, unfolding a letter, "is the order which
hath been sent me by Fra Paolo Sarpi, of the convent of the Servi, a man
most wise and of high repute in Venice. 'The face,' this learned friar
sayeth, 'must be full of consolation and one to awaken holy thoughts.
And I, being not an artist' (which, because he is greater than so many
of his craft, he hath the grace to acknowledge!), 'have no other word to
say, save that it shall be noble and most spiritual, as befitteth our
religion.
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