This added the last charm to his model: a light blush tinted her cheeks, and her eyes brightened, and her mouth smiled with delicious complacency at this genuine tribute to her charms.
When they had looked at one another so some time, and she saw Gerard's eloquence was confined to ejaculating and gazing, she spoke. "Well, Gerardo, thou seest I have made myself an antique monster for thee."
"A monster? I doubt Fra Colonna would fall down and adore your highness, seeing you so habited."
"Nay, I care not to be adored by an old man. I would liever be loved by a young one: of my own choosing."
Gerard took out his pencils, arranged his canvas, which he had covered with stout paper, and set to work; and so absorbed was he that he had no mercy on his model. At last, after near an hour in one posture, "Gerardo," said she, faintly, "I can stand so no more, even for thee."
"Sit down and rest awhile, signora."
"I thank thee," said she; and sinking into a chair turned pale and sighed.
Gerard was alarmed, and saw also he had been inconsiderate. He took water from the fountain and was about to throw it in her face; but she put up a white hand deprecatingly: "Nay, hold it to my brow with thine hand; prithee, do not fling it at me!"
Gerard timidly and hesitating applied his wet hand to her brow.