The fountain stood in the middle of the floor, and the guests gathered about it.
"Superb!" they exclaimed one after another. "Superb!" "Superb!"
The little Mayor was especially enthusiastic. He stood near the Baron, and holding up both hands he cried:
"Marvellous! Miraculous! Fit to take its place beside the masterpieces of old Rome!"
"But surely this is 'Hamlet' without the prince," said the Baron. "You set out to make a fountain representing Christ and His twelve apostles, and the only figure you leave unfinished is Christ Himself."
He pointed to the central figure above the dish, which was merely shaped out and indicated.
"Not only one, your Excellency," said Don Camillo. "Here is another unfinished figure—intended for Judas, apparently."
"I left them to the last on purpose," said Roma. "They were so important, and so difficult. But I have studies for both of them in the boudoir, and you shall give me your advice and opinion."
"The saint and the satyr, the God and the devil, the betrayed and the betrayer—what subjects for the chisel of the artist!" said Don Camillo.
"Just so," said the Mayor. "She must do the one with all the emotions of love, and the other with all the faculties of hate."