went away, "I will read
the proof without any extra charge. Of course that is a special favor to
you, because I am one of your admirers."

Renovales spent several weeks in the preparations for his reception, as
if it were the most important event in his life. The countess also took
a great interest in the matter. She would see to it that it was a
distinguished function, something like the receptions of the French
Academy, described in the papers or in novels. All of her friends would
be present. The great painter would read his speech, the cynosure of a
hundred interested eyes, amid the fluttering of fans and the buzz of
conversation. An immense success which would enrage many artists who
were eager to get a foothold in high society.

A few days before the function, Cotoner handed him a bundle of papers.
It was a copy of the speech,--in a fair hand; it was already paid for.
And Renovales, with the instinct of an actor anxious to make a good
show, spent an afternoon, striding from studio to studio, with the
manuscript in one hand and making energetic gestures with the other,
while he read the paragraphs aloud. That impudent Maltrana was gifted!
It was a work that filled the simple artist with enthusiasm, in his
ignorance of everything except printing, a series of glorious trumpet
blasts, in which were scattered names, many names; appreciations in
tremulous rhetoric, historical summaries, so well rounded, so complete
that it seemed as though mankind had been living since the beginning of
the world with no other thought than Renovates' speech, and judging its
acts in order that he might give them a definite interpretation.

The artist felt a thrill of elevation as he repeated in eloquent
succession Greek names, many of which were mere sounds to him, for he
was not certain whether they were great sculptors or tragic poets.
Again, he experienced a sensation of self-satisfaction when he
encountered the names of Dante and Shakespeare. He knew that they had
not painted, but they ought to appear in every speech which was worthy
of respect. And when he came to the paragraphs on modern art, he seemed
to touch terra firma, and smiled with a superior air. Maltrana did not
know much about that subject; superficial appreciation of a layman; but
he wrote well, very well; he could not have done better himself. And he
studied his speech, till he could repeat whole paragraphs by heart,
paying particular attention to the pronunciation o