their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; there is even
a statue of the Blessed Virgin suspended on a tree, and that at a time
when there was no Christianity, no Saint James of Compostella, neither
convents nor Spaniards."

"That is indeed singular," said Deodati, smiling. "It seems to me that
such conceits do but very little honor to the artist. Is it a custom among
other artists in the Netherlands to sport thus with holy things?"

"No; Signor Breughel is an exception. The other gentlemen in company with
the Flemish Raphael are more serious men. Michael Coxie, whom you may
distinguish by the gray doublet, excels in his portraits of women. The
handsome young man standing behind him is Martin de Vos, a pupil of
Floris; he evinces a high order of talent and gives promise of great
perfection in his art. The others, as well as I can recognize them at this
distance, are Lambert Van Noord, Egide Mostaert, William Key, Bernard de
Rycke, and the two brothers Henry and Martin Van Cleef, all celebrated
historical, fancy, or portrait painters. Near them is Master Grimmer, a
famous landscape-painter; and the gentleman now speaking is a certain Ack
of Antwerp, who has painted the large glass windows of the church of Saint
Gudula at Brussels. The old man sitting apart near the piano is Christian;
he has marvellous skill in playing on many instruments, but he excels most
on the violin. You will probably hear him this evening."

Simon Turchi continued to converse familiarly with the Signor Deodati, who
was charmed with his intelligence, but still more with the kind
consideration which made him refrain from joining in the general
conversation in order to entertain an old man.

Geronimo had several times approached his uncle, but each time the latter
had playfully sent him away, telling him that the agreeable company of the
Signor Turchi sufficed for him, and that he preferred a quiet
conversation.

In the meantime the conversation among the guests had become more general.
Noblemen and bankers, merchants and literary men, manufacturers and
artists, were mingling with each other; rank and condition were
disregarded, and the animated conversation of the company resounded
through the hall like the humming of a swarm of bees.

At this moment the servants entered, bringing silver waiters on which were
wines of every description, pastry, cakes, rare fruits, and other
refreshments.

They passed through the room offerin