human
Ladies, I kiss your hands! he exclaims.
gpt
You too have employed this fine weather in an excursion: you could not do better.
human
Permit me to present Herr von Lozoncyi, said the Count,--whereupon the old Countess, before Lozoncyi had quite finished his formal obeisance, called out,
gpt
I am delighted to know you. I belong among your oldest admirers. Do not misunderstand me: I do not, of course, refer to my own age, but to that of my admiration.
human
I am immensely flattered, Frau Countess, Lozoncyi replied, in the gentle, agreeable voice of a Viennese of mixed descent and doubtful nationality.
gpt
Might I ask when first I had the good fortune to arouse your interest?
human
How long ago is it, Erika?--five or six years? asked the old lady.
gpt
You will know.
human
Six years ago, I think, grandmother.
gpt
Six years ago, then, the Countess went on.
human
It was in Berlin, where you were exhibiting two pictures, one before a curtain, the other behind a curtain. I saw both; and I have believed in your talent ever since,--which has not, however, prevented me from being surprised by your last picture in the Circolo artistico.
gpt
You are very kind.
human
One thing I should like to know: do you fancy there are trees in full leaf in hell?
gpt
What?--in hell? asked the artist, lifting his eyebrows.
human
So far as I can tell, I have never pictured hell to myself; although I have more than once felt as if I had been there.
gpt
Why, then, did you paint Francesca da Rimini after that fashion?
human
Francesca da Rimini?
gpt
The picture in the Circolo, the old lady persisted.
human
But --and her tone was much cooler--
gpt
No, no, he replied, laughing.
human
The picture to which you refer is certainly mine, Countess, but my picture-dealer invented the title for it. I never for a moment intended to paint that most attractive of all sinning women.
gpt
What did your picture mean, then?
human
To tell you the truth, I do not know. He said it with an odd smile in which there was some annoyance.
gpt
I want to paint a series of pictures under the title of 'Mes Cauchemars,'--' Evil Dreams,'--and the thing in the Circolo was to be number one. If I could have dared to challenge comparison with Botticelli,--which I could not,--I should perhaps have called the picture 'Spring.'
human
Spare your eyes, my dear Lozoncyi: what sort of way is that to gaze upon the sun?
gpt
You are right, Count, the painter said, rather bluntly; then, turning again to the young girl, he said, in a very different tone,
human
I am not recalling our meeting in the Calle San Giacomo. If I do not mistake,--I can hardly believe it, but if I do not,--our acquaintance dates from much farther back. Have you a step-father called Strachinsky?
gpt
Unfortunately, yes,
human
Well, then, he said, eagerly,
gpt
I---- He made a sudden pause.
human
How foolish I am! You must long ago have forgotten what I am remembering.
gpt
No, I have forgotten nothing, Erika replied, lifting her eyes to his with a strange expression of mingled pride and reproach.
human
I recognized you long ago; but it was not for me to tell you so.
gpt
Countess! Allow me to kiss your hand, in memory of the dear little fairy who brought me good fortune.
human
What's all this? Count Treurenberg asked, inquisitively, and the old Countess as curiously inquired,
gpt
Where did you make each other's acquaintance?