They are extremely good, she said as she laid the last one down.
Yes, her companion agreed; they are so good that they ought to be betterbut they never will be.
How do you mean?
I know Paul Dessart well enough to know that he will never paint a picture. He has talent, and hes clever, but hes at everybodys service. The workers have no time to be polite. However, she finished, it is not for you and me to quarrel with him. If he set to work in earnest he would stop giving teas, and that would be a pity, would it not?
Indeed it would! she agreed. How pretty the studio looks this afternoon! I have seen it only by daylight before, and, like all the rest of us, it improves by candle-light. Her eyes wandered about the big room, with its furnishings of threadbare tapestry and antique carved chairs. The heavy curtains had been partly drawn over the windows, making a pleasant twilight within. A subtle odour of linseed oil and cigarette smoke, mingled with the fresh scent of violets, pervaded the air.
Paul Dessart, with the Prix de Rome man and a young English sculptor of rising fame, presently joined them; and the talk drifted into Roman politicsa subject concerning which, the artists declared with one accord, they knew nothing and cared less.
Oh, I used to get excited over their squabbles, said the Englishman; but I soon saw that I should have to choose between that and sculpture; I hadnt time for both.
I dont even know whos premier, put in Dessart.
A disgraceful lack of interest! maintained the American girl. I have only been in Rome two months, and I am an authority on the Triple Alliance and the Abyssinian war; I know what Cavour wanted to do, and what Crispi has done.
Thats not fair, Miss Copley, Dessart objected. Youve been going to functions at the Embassy, and one can absorb politics there through ones skin. But I warn you, it isnt a safe subject to get interested in; it becomes a disease, like the opium habit.
Hes not so far from the truth, agreed the sculptor. I was talking to a fellow this afternoon, named Sybert, whoperhaps you know him, Miss Copley?
Yes, I know him. What about him?
Ohernothing, in that case.
Pray slander Mr. Sybert if you wishIll promise not to tell. Hes one of my uncles friends, not one of mine.
Oh, I wasnt going to slander him, the young man expostulated a trifle sheepishly. The only thing I have against Sybert is the fact that my conversation bores him.
Marcia laughed with a certain sense of fellow-feeling.
Say anything you please, she repeated cordially. My conversation bores him too.
Well, what I was going to say is that he has had about all the Roman politics that are good for him. If he doesnt look out, hell be getting in too deep.
Too deep? she queried.
It was Dessart who pursued the subject with just a touch of malice. Laurence Sybert, apparently, was not so popular a person as a diplomat should be.
Hes lived in Rome a good many years, and people are beginning to wonder what hes up to. The Embassy does very well for a blind, for he doesnt take any more interest in it than he does in whether or not Tammany runs New York. All that Sybert knows anything about or cares anything about is Italian politics, and there are some who think that he knows a good sight more about them than he ought. Hes in with the Church party, in with the Governmentfirst friends with the Right, and then with the Left.
Monsieur Sybert is what you call an eclectic, suggested Benoit. He chooses the best of each.
Im not so sure of that, Dessart hinted darkly. Hes interested in other factions besides the Vatican and the Quirinal. There are one or two pretty anarchistic societies in Rome, and Ive heard it whispered
You dont mean she asked, with wide-open eyes.
The woman who wrote shook her head, with a laugh. I suspect that Mr. Syberts long residence in Rome might be reduced to a simpler formula than that. It was a very wise person who first said, Cherchez la femme.
Oh, really? said Marcia, with a new note of interest. Laurence Sybert was not a man whom she had ever credited with having emotions, and the suggestion came as a surprise.
Rumour says that he still takes a very strong interest in the pretty little Contessa Torrenieri. All I know is that nine or ten years ago, when she was Margarita Carretti, he was openly among her admirers; but she naturally preferred a countor at least her parents did, which in Italy amounts to the same.
The girls eyes opened still wider; the Contessa Torrenieri was also a frequent guest at the palazzo. But Dessart received the suggestion with a very sceptical smile.
And you think that he is only waiting until, in the ripeness of time, old Count Torrenieri goes the way of all counts? I know you are the authority on gossip, madame, but, nevertheless, I doubt very much if that is Laurence Syberts trouble.
You dont really mean that he is an anarchist? Marcia demanded.
I give him up, Miss Copley. The young man shrugged his shoulders and spread out his hands in a gesture purely Italian.
Are you talking politics? asked Mrs. Copley as she joined the group in company with Mr. and Mrs. Melville.
Always politics, laughed her nieceor is it Mr. Sybert now?
Theyre practically interchangeable, said Dessart.
And did I hear you calling him an anarchist, Miss Marcia? Melville demanded.
She repudiated the charge with a laugh. Im afraid Mr. Dessarts the guilty one.
Here, here! that will never do! Syberts a special friend of mine. I cant allow you to be accusing him of anything like that.
A little applied anarchy wouldnt be out of place, the young man returned. I feel tempted to use some dynamite myself when I see the way this precious government is scattering statues of Victor Emmanuel broadcast through the land.
If you are going to get back into politics, said Mrs. Copley, rising, I fear we must leave. I know from experience that it is a long subject.
The two turned away, escorted to the carriage by Dessart and the Frenchman, while the rest of the group resettled themselves in the empty places. The woman who wrote listened a moment to the badinage and laughter which floated back through the open door; then, Mr. Dessarts heiress is very attractive, she suggested.
Why Mr. Dessarts? Melville inquired.
Perhaps I was a little premature, she concededthough, I venture to prophesy, not incorrect.
My dear lady, said Mrs. Melville impressively, you do not know Mrs. Copley. Her niece is more likely to marry an Italian prince than a nameless young artist.
Shes no more likely to marry an Italian prince than she is a South African chief, her husband affirmed. Miss Marcia is a young woman who will marry whom she pleasesthough, he added upon reflection, I am not at all sure it will be Paul Dessart.
She might do worse, said his wife. Paul is a nice boy.
Ahand she might do better. Ill tell you exactly the man, he added, in a burst of enthusiasm, and that is Laurence Sybert.
The suggestion was met by an amused smile from the ladies and a shrug from the sculptor.
My dear James, said Mrs. Melville, you may be a very good business man, but you are no match-maker. That is a matter you would best leave to the women. As for your Laurence Sybert, he hasnt the ghost of a chanceand he doesnt want it.