nd by the brilliancy of a
fascinating little hat adorned with the feathers of the _lophophore_,
whose changing colors her hair, tightly curled over the forehead and
parted at the neck in broad waves, seemed to prolong and to soften.

A crowd of artists, of society folk hastened to pay their respects to so
great genius allied to so great beauty; and Jenkins, bareheaded,
swelling with effusive warmth, went about from one to another, extorting
enthusiasm, but broadening the circle about that youthful renown, posing
as both guardian and fugleman. Meanwhile, his wife was talking with the
young woman. Poor Madame Jenkins! He had said to her in that brutal
voice which she alone knew: "You must go and speak to Felicia." And she
had obeyed, restraining her emotion; for she knew now what lay hidden
beneath that fatherly affection, although she avoided any explanation
with the doctor as if she were apprehensive of the result.

After Madame Jenkins, the Nabob rushed to the artist's side, and taking
her slender, neatly gloved hands in his two great paws expressed his
gratitude with a warmth that brought the tears to his own eyes.

"You have done me a very great honor, Mademoiselle, to associate my name
with yours, my humble self with your triumph, and to prove to all these
vermin who are digging their claws into me that you don't believe in all
the slanderous reports that are current about me. Really, it is
something I can never forget. I might cover this magnificent bust with
gold and diamonds and I should still be in your debt."

Luckily for the good Nabob, who was more susceptible to emotion than
eloquent, he was obliged to make room for all those who were attracted
by the refulgent talent, the artistic personality before their eyes:
frantic enthusiasm which, for lack of words in which to express itself,
disappears as it came; worldly admiration, inspired by kindly feeling,
by an earnest desire to please, but whose every word is like a cold
shower-bath; and then the hearty hand-clasps of rivals, of comrades,
some very frank and cordial, others which communicate to you the
inertness of their pressure; the tall, conceited zany whose absurd
praise ought to delight you beyond measure, and who, in order not to
spoil you utterly, accompanies it with "a few trifling reservations;"
and the man who, while overwhelming you with compliments, proves to you
that you do not know the first word of the trade; and the other good
fellow, full o