"What is that black you are smearing over the countenance of the Czar?"
"Terra di Siena. It gives the shadows."
"But there must be no shadow on the countenance of the Czar! It must shine, be radiant, brilliant. And then, look here, one-half of the imperial face is broader than the other."
"Of course it is; because it is taken in three-quarter profile."
"But why do you take the Czar in three-quarter profile?"
"Because he could not otherwise be looking straight at Kutusoff."
"Then turn Kutusoff's head so that the Czar may look at him in full face."
The artist was nigh to springing off his plank with brush and palette, and alighting on the head of the dictatorial Counsellor of Enlightenment. But, controlling himself, he took up a large brush and began painting in the clouds in the background. This thoroughly provoked the Censor's severity.
"Halt! What are you doing? What is that?"
"A cloud."