“Of a truth, Sir Artist, the picture of her Imperial Highness is unfinished.”
He did not speak. The lady leaned toward him, thrusting her face within the range of his vision.
“Is this the honorable portrait of our Princess Sado-ko, which she will make as exchange gift to her affianced, Prince Komatzu?” she asked.
The artist turned his face painfully aside. Then the Duchess Aoi spoke:—
“Artist,” she said, “we most humble and insignificant ones copy the august fashions from her Highness. Pray you, paint my picture in just so fine a style.”
There were hysterical tears in the voice of the little Countess Matsuka. She sought in vain to divert her more heartless companions.
“I,” she said, “would desire to be painted in a most gorgeous foreign gown.”
“With the body showing?” inquired Madame Bara.
“Yes, the neck and the long arms. Why not?”
“Oh, ah, it is indecent!”