“It may be, but I am still in ignorance as to your mode of operation. I understand chemistry, and should like to hear something more definite about your process.”
“The panel on which the portrait is painted is so decayed that you might put your finger through it with the greatest ease. I intend to fill up all the interstices with a solution, which, when set, will make it stronger than ever. When done it will last for centuries, but the difficulty will be in effecting this without injury to the surface, and before I begin I must inform your lordship I cannot be answerable for any injuries to the painting which are at present not discernible, but which may present themselves in the course of the restoration.”
“You seem to be intelligent enough. Do your best—only I charge you to use the greatest care. You will bring your materials with you and work here, I presume.”
“I cannot do otherwise, my lord; any attempt to remove it would be attended with positive destruction.”
“Very well, Mr. Jakyl, you will see that the picture-restorer has all he requires,” said Lord Ethalwood as he left the apartment.
Peace returned to Dennet’s-lane with the understanding that he was to commence operations at the Hall on the following morning.
He was in some trepidation as to the success of his enterprise, which, to say the truth, required all his skill and care to ensure a satisfactory result; but he was not a man to be daunted by trifles.
On the following morning, therefore, he proceeded to the picture gallery with several bags of plaster of Paris.
His first proceeding was to see if he could with safety remove the panel from the frame, which was almost in as bad a state as the panel itself.
He found that he could not do this with safety; the panel would not bear forcing with the chisel. He therefore prepared a bed of plaster for the frame as well as the picture.