may deposit the implements of my art and be
ready to uproot my hair."

Here Hans laid down his pencil and palette, threw himself backward into
a great chair, and hanging limply over the side, shook his long hair
over his face, lifted his hooked fingers on each side his head, and
looked up with comic terror at Deronda, who was obliged to smile, as he
said--

"Paint as many Berenices as you like, but I wish you could feel with
me--perhaps you will, on reflection--that you should choose another
model."

"Why?" said Hans, standing up, and looking serious again.

"Because she may get into such a position that her face is likely to be
recognized. Mrs. Meyrick and I are anxious for her that she should be
known as an admirable singer. It is right, and she wishes it, that she
should make herself independent. And she has excellent chances. One
good introduction is secured already, and I am going to speak to
Klesmer. Her face may come to be very well known, and--well, it is
useless to attempt to explain, unless you feel as I do. I believe that
if Mirah saw the circumstances clearly, she would strongly object to
being exhibited in this way--to allowing herself to be used as a model
for a heroine of this sort."

As Hans stood with his thumbs in the belt of his blouse, listening to
this speech, his face showed a growing surprise melting into amusement,
that at last would have its way in an explosive laugh: but seeing that
Deronda looked gravely offended, he checked himself to say, "Excuse my
laughing, Deronda. You never gave me an advantage over you before. If
it had been about anything but my own pictures, I should have swallowed
every word because you said it. And so you actually believe that I
should get my five pictures hung on the line in a conspicuous position,
and carefully studied by the public? Zounds, man! cider-cup and conceit
never gave me half such a beautiful dream. My pictures are likely to
remain as private as the utmost hypersensitiveness could desire."

Hans turned to paint again as a way of filling up awkward pauses.
Deronda stood perfectly still, recognizing his mistake as to publicity,
but also conscious that his repugnance was not much diminished. He was
the reverse of satisfied either with himself or with Hans; but the
power of being quiet carries a man well through moments of
embarrassment. Hans had a reverence for his friend which made him feel
a sort of shyness at Deronda's being in the wrong; but it