"It seems to be an unpleasant subject, Prince."
"Very unpleasant, Madame," answered Orsino shortly.
Thereupon Madame d'Aragona looked at Gouache and raised her brows a
little as though to ask a question, knowing perfectly well that Orsino
was watching her. The young man could not see the painter's eyes, and
the latter did not betray by any gesture that he was answering the
silent interrogation.
"Then I have eyes like a tiger, you say. You frighten me. How
disagreeable--to look like a wild beast!"
"It is a prejudice," returned Orsino. "One hears people say of a woman
that she is beautiful as a tigress."
"An idea!" exclaimed Gouache, interrupting. "Shall I change the damask
cloak to a tiger's skin? One claw just hanging over the white
shoulder--Omphale, you know--in a modern drawing-room--a small cast of
the Farnese Hercules upon a bracket, there, on the right. Decidedly,
here is an idea. Do you permit, Madame!"
"Anything you like--only do not spoil the likeness," answered Madame
d'Aragona, leaning back in her chair, and looking sleepily at Orsino
from beneath her heavy, half-closed lids.
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