Renovales sat up and grasped Cotoner's arm as he described his future picture, and his friend nodded his approval gravely, impressed by the description.
"Very fine! Sublime, Mariano!"
But the master became dejected again after this flash of enthusiasm.
The task was very difficult. He would have to go and take up quarters on the shore of the Mediterranean, on some secluded beach at Valencia or in Catalonia; he would have to build a cabin on the very edge of the sand where the water breaks with its bright reflections, and take woman after woman there, a hundred if it was necessary, in order to study the whiteness of their skin against the blue of the sea and sky, until he found the divine body of the Phryne he had dreamed.
"Very difficult," murmured Renovales. "I tell you it is very difficult. There are so many obstacles to struggle against."
Cotoner leaned forward with a confidential expression.
"And besides, there's the mistress," he said in a quiet voice, looking at the door with a sort of fear. "I don't believe Josephina would be very much pleased with this picture and its pack of models."
The master lowered his head.
"If you only knew, Pepe! If you could see the life I lead every day!"
"I know what it is," Cotoner hastened to say, "or rather, I can imagine. Don't tell me anything."