“You,” replied the boy, in a voice scarcely audible.
“I mean your drawing-master,” said Murillo.
“You, Senor,” again replied the trembling slave.
“It cannot be; I never gave you lessons,” said the astonished painter.
“But you gave them to others, and I listened to them,” rejoined the boy, emboldened by the kindness of his master.
“And you have done better than listen—you have profited by them,” exclaimed Murillo, unable longer to conceal his admiration. “Gentlemen, does this boy merit punishment, or reward?”
At the word punishment, Sebastian’s heart beat quick; the word reward gave him a little courage; but, fearing that his ears deceived him, he looked with timid and imploring eyes towards his master.
“A reward, Senor!” cried the pupils, in a breath.
“That is well; but what shall it be?”
Sebastian began to breathe.