"Good-day, mon cher confrère. I wished to speak to you. Hein! you have been at work, I see. This is well — very well! A bold outline — great freedom in that right hand. But, hold! is the composition good You have not got the great pyramidal form. Don't you think, too, that you have lost the advantage of contrast in this figure; since the right leg is put forward, surely the right arm should be put back? Peste! but that little finger is very fine!"
Mervale detested Nicot. For all speculators, Utopians, alterers of the world, and wanderers from the high road, were equally hateful to him; but he could have hugged the Frenchman at that moment. He saw in Glyndon's expressive countenance all the weariness and disgust he endured. After so wrapt a study, to be prated to about pyramidal forms, and right arms, and right legs — the accidence of the art — the whole conception to be overlooked, and the criticism to end in approval of the little finger!
"Oh," said Glyndon peevishly, throwing the cloth over his design, "enough of my poor performance. What is it you have to say to me?"
"In the first place," said Nicot, huddling himself together upon a stool — "in the first place, this Signor Zanoni — this second Cagliostro — who disputes my doctrines! (no doubt — a spy of the man Capet) I am not vindictive; as Helvetius says, 'our errors arise from our passions.' I keep mine in order; but it is virtuous to hate in the cause of mankind; I would I
