(Frigidly.) Your praise——

Lucia

Hush, oh, I beg you—for my sake.

Medici

The drawing is the equal of del Sarto’s and the composition no poorer than da Vinci’s. I swear it. Yet—the colour—hmm—I miss Titian’s glory. Those shadows (pointing) are out of tone a little——

Lucia

(Quickly.) We ran out of blue that day, alas——

Medici

Your model was, certainly, perfect. But why have you painted the nymphs from her as well as their divine mistress?