‘A portrait, did you say, Monsieur?’
‘Yes.’
‘May I ask of whom?’
‘Of the new actress, Miss Diana Vere.’
‘It is curious,’ said Gavrolles; ‘but pardon, the face seems familiar to me. I have seen it somewhere before.’
‘Indeed! Well, such a face, once seen, is not likely to be forgotten.’
‘Is it not beautiful!’ cried the Frenchman, with elevated shoulders and extended hands; ‘and seen upon your canvas, how sublime! How shall I express to you—to you, great artist, great genius, what at this moment I feel? But tell me, Monsieur, this—is she a friend of yours? No? Yes?’
41 know her slightly, that is all.’
‘What would I not give to see her, to have the honour of her acquaintance!’
‘If you wish to see her,’ said Serena, ‘you have only to go to the Parthenon Theatre, where she appears nightly.’