"I must make a saint or an angel of you, since you are for a Cardinal," said he, with a grave smile; "and it will not be difficult."
"Surely, this old gown is not very angelical?" said the Duchess.
"No matter. A nimbus and pincers will identify you with St. Agatha or St. Apollonia, quite sufficiently for the purpose."
He began to draw with great diligence, and was terribly silent. The Duchess felt inclined to yawn.
"More to the right," he said, abruptly, as she inclined her head a little to the left. "Perdona, illustrissima."
"Pray do not stand on ceremony," said she. Her countenance had become vacant, and he felt he must call up its expression.
"Do you take any interest in art, Signora?"
"O yes, a great deal. I only wish I knew more about it."
"Do you know what is its great object?"