keys imitate us, or whether it's we who imitate
them." I congratulated him on his philosophy, and he resumed: "You will
do use the honour to admit that I have handled my subjects with delicacy.
Eh, it was needed, signore! I have been free, but not too free--eh? Just
a hint, you know! You may see as much or as little as you please. These
little groups, however, are no measure of my invention. If you will
favour me with a call at my studio, I think that you will admit that my
combinations are really infinite. I likewise execute figures to command.
You have perhaps some little motive--the fruit of your philosophy of
life, signore--which you would like to have interpreted. I can promise
to work it up to your satisfaction; it shall be as malicious as you
please! Allow me to present you with my card, and to remind you that my
prices are moderate. Only sixty francs for a little group like that. My
statuettes are as durable as bronze--_aere perennius_, signore--and,
between ourselves, I think they are more amusing!"

As I pocketed his card I glanced at Madonna Serafina, wondering whether
she had an eye for contrasts. She had picked up one of the little
couples and was tenderly dusting it with a feather broom.

What I had just seen and heard had so deepened my compassionate interest
in my deluded friend that I took a summary leave, making my way directly
to the house designated by this remarkable woman. It was in an obscure
corner of the opposite side of the town, and presented a sombre and
squalid appearance. An old woman in the doorway, on my inquiring for
Theobald, ushered me in with a mumbled blessing and an expression of
relief at the poor gentleman having a friend. His lodging seemed to
consist of a single room at the top of the house. On getting no answer
to my knock, I opened the door, supposing that he was absent, so that it
gave me a certain shock to find him sitting there helpless and dumb. He
was seated near the single window, facing an easel which supported a
large canvas. On my entering he looked up at me blankly, without
changing his position, which was that of absolute lassitude and
dejection, his arms loosely folded, his legs stretched before him, his
head hanging on his breast. Advancing into the room I perceived that his
face vividly corresponded with his attitude. He was pale, haggard, and
unshaven, and his dull and sunken eye gazed at me without a spark of
recognition. I had been afraid