rchs--and not
merely among those of today--in the fullest meaning of the word. Each of
us separately can produce something better and more perfect in his own
line; but how great is the man who by earnestness and skill can even
apprehend everything that the mind has ever been able to conceive of, or
the creative spirit of the artist to embody! I know him, and I know that
he loves a really thorough master, and tries to encourage him with
princely liberality. But his ears are everywhere, and he promptly becomes
the implacable enemy of those who provoke his resentment. So bridle your
restive Alexandrian tongues, and let me tell you that my colleague from
Rome is in the closest intimacy with Hadrian. He is of the same age,
resembles him greatly, and repeats to him everything that he hears said
about him. So cease talking about Caesar and pass no severer judgments on
dilettanti in the purple than on your wealthy pupils, who paint and
chisel for the mere love of it, and for whom you find it so easy to lisp
out 'charming,' or 'wonderfully pretty,' or 'remarkably nice.' Take my
warning in good part, you know I mean it well."

He spoke the last words with a cordial, manly feeling, of which his voice
was peculiarly capable, and which was always certain to secure him the
confidence even of the recalcitrant.

The artists exchanged greetings and hand-shakings and left the hall; a
slave carried away the wine-jar and wiped the table, on which Pontius
proceeded to lay out his sketches and plans. But he was not alone, for
Pollux was soon at his side, and with a comical expression of pathos and
laying his finger on his nose, he said:

"I have come out of my cage to say something more to you."

"Well?"

"The hour is approaching when I may hope to repay the beneficent deeds,
which, at various times, you have done to my interior. My mother will
to-morrow morning, set before you that dish of cabbage. It could not be
done sooner, because the only perfect sausage-maker, the very king of his
trade, prepares these savory cylinders only once a week. A few hours ago
he completed the making of the sausages, and to-morrow morning my mother
will warm up for our breakfasts the noble mess, which she is preparing
for us this evening--for, as I have told you, it is in its warmed-up
state that it is the ideal of its kind. What will follow by way of sweets
we shall owe again to my mother's art; but the cheering and invigorating
element--I mean the wine