untess of Alberca as consoling herself merrily for the
mistake she had made in marrying an old man.

At Court, they had taken her name from the lists, as a result of this
reputation. Her husband took part at all the royal functions, for he did
not have a chance every day to show off his load of honorary hardware,
but she stayed at home, loathing these ceremonious affairs. Renovales
had often heard her declare, dressed luxuriously and wearing costly
jewels in her ears and on her breast, that she laughed at his set, that
she was on the inside, she was an anarchist! And he laughed as he heard
her, just as all men laughed at what they called the "ways" of the
Alberca woman.

When Renovales won success and, as a famous master, returned to those
drawing rooms through which he had passed in his youth, he felt the
attraction of the countess who in her character as a "woman of
intellect," insisted on gathering celebrated men about her. Josephina
did not accompany him in this return to society. She felt ill; contact
with the same people in the same places tired her; she lacked the
strength to undertake even the trips her doctors urged upon her.

The countess enrolled the painter in her following, appearing offended
when he failed to present himself at her house on the afternoons on
which she received her friends. What ingratitude to show to such a
fervent admirer! How she liked to exhibit him before her friends, as if
he were a new jewel! "The painter Renovales, the famous master."

At one of these afternoon receptions, the count spoke to Renovales with
the serious air of a man who is crushed beneath his worldly honors.

"Concha wants a portrait done by you, and I like to please her in every
way. You can say when to begin. She is afraid to propose it to you and
has commissioned me to do it. I know that your work is better than that
of other painters. Paint her well, so that she may be pleased."

And noticing that Renovales seemed rather offended at his patronizing
familiarity, he added as if he were doing him another favor.

"If you have success with Concha, you may paint my picture afterward. I
am only waiting for the Grand Chrysanthemum of Japan. At the Government
offices they tell me the titles will come one of these days."

Renovales began the countess's portrait. The task was prolonged by that
rattle-brained woman who always came late, alleging that she had been
busy. Many days the artist did not take a stroke with hi