Three Nights With The Baron

d that the support should be ivory, which had proved to be ideal since the beginning of the eighteenth century. I sat in a corner watching. I was memori

d be studded with diamonds and sapphires. For that reason, he wore a blue coat, and

f my father. He worked quietly and without apparent tensi

's work. I was sure I could have made a superb portrait if I could have gone about it in the normal way. I would bring out his arrogance. I would capture that look which sugg

my father worked

I told him I had not. He raised his eyebrows as t

he picture of the Grafi

regret not ha

re. It must be in the minia

el she is unk

Am I a good sitter? I look forward

g well," sa

ule that no one sees a minia

f I shall agree

inter a free hand to do what he wishes. To have

it were

o, would

hter to lay down the ru

rule," sai

n painting he possessed, not

ver my treasures to you, Made

had done enough for the morning, he said. Moreove

lf, confessing that it was unusual

ings shall you

as yet," rep

selle Collison remains with us so

d, perhaps too eagerl

d and l

ght he seemed exhausted. He s

hat we m

t was not bad, but I could detect

what I know of him. I think I had better start immediately and perhaps work as soon as he has gone so that I have

faint hint of blue reflection from the coat into those cold, steely eyes. I could see those eyes. . . Alight with feeling... Love of power, of co

of ten unusual methods, I suspected, and because I had a strong feeling of dislike for him. I

tched me whi

ush at length, "O

. I want to delude him. I want him to

ather, his face breaking up in a helpless sort o

be a great artist a

ng work, and I was

omewhere with the Baron and Nicole, I suggested that my father take a rest. He look

m on his bed and then, taking a sketch

so different from the Baron. So kind and gentle. I could not understand why women like Nicole could demean themselves as she had done for the sake of men like the Baron. I found him far from

irely lacking in the mighty Baron. Bertrand's task had been to put us at our ease on our arrival and this he had done with such perf

of the Baron. It was understandable that he should occupy my thoughts, as I had to pa

ils flaring, the light of lust in his eyes, his mouth curved in a cruel and triumphant

full face. I wanted to know that face from every angel and in s

ly, I saw him. He was leaning over my shoulder.

, "I didn't

fess, seeing you there so absorbed, sketching away... I

to me," I

a very fine artist, Mademoiselle. H

my hand p

did not realize that you knew me so well," he went on, "and to draw this without a model! Why, you are a draughtsman, Mademoiselle. I o

e of your face. But I was with yo

ye on me. Mademoiselle Collison, you

er," I said. "You ca

of you, Mademoiselle Collison. I have something else to remind me, too. The miniature

hand to help

is resting. I thoug

"Now you and I will go and see the miniatures, shall we? I r

my sketch-pad. Fortunately, there was nothing els

of the castle where

d-eighteenth century," he told me. "

I could not help adding: "Rather different from the

years old yet. So modern! But a fine piece of architecture all the same. Wha

tful,'

the ceiling of which was painted with a celestial scene. Angels

uisite and of great value. They were of all periods dating back to the early fourteenth century, and many o

beautiful,

I imagine, than a large canvas. The artist must be restricted. You must have ver

emoiselle Collison. I love art. I understand it. I can criticize it... see what is wrong... even fee

is rather sad. It's better, I think, to be born without th

I could mix the paints. I have an eye for colour... but alas, the spirit wh

escaping from the jewelled snood which held it, the tawny eyes. . . The firm chin. . . They might well have been min

shoulder, "There! Now

" I agreed. "And it

nod

call yourselves K. If only you had had a variety of

op looking at

ow I need no longer call it the Unknown Woman. It

ou had

t, one of my ancestors must have been on very friendly terms with one of yours. Why otherwise s

u don't know the identity of several of the people portrayed,

o add two more

ther was painting, was for