And if it please not him--Fra Paolo,
who hath given the order--I will bestow it elsewhere."
Then a friar habited like the others, who had stood apart and had not
spoken, came and threw back his cowl, dismissing the group with a
gesture. The features thus disclosed were unimportant, apart from the
domelike forehead, which might well belong to the most learned man of
his learned age; but Fra Paolo's face owed its distinction to the rare
impression it gave the beholder of invincible calm and self-mastery,
with a certain mysterious hint of power and a promise of unswervingness.
His gaze held no suggestion of concealment; yet for the deeper thoughts
that move the spirit of man, to those who knew him well his mild blue
eyes remained inscrutable, while his courtesy to all made one forget
that his words were few, and that of himself he had revealed nothing.
"It is well," he said, "to _know_ that we know. Serve faithfully the God
who gave the gift and take no counsel from men who know not."
Then he stood silent for a while before the picture, as if he would
learn its meaning, the artist watching anxiously, not guessing his
thought.
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