'And with
whom, pray?'
'With Lady Sinfi Lovell,--a discussion as to the exact value of your
own special kind of madness in relation to the tomfooleries of the
Gorgio mind in general.'
'Kekka! kekka!' said Sinfi, 'you shouldn't have said that.'
'And I was on the point of proving to her ladyship that in these
days, when Art has become genteel, and even New Grub Street
"decorates" her walls--when success means not so much painting fine
pictures as building fine houses to paint in--the greatest compliment
you can pay to a man of genius is surely to call him either a beggar
or a madman.'
The peculiarity of this 'chaff' was that it was uttered in a simple
and serious tone, in which not the faintest tinge of ironical intent
was apparent. The other artist looked across and said: 'Dear me!
Sinfi Lovell! I am pleased to see you, Sinfi. I will ask you for a
sitting to-morrow. A study of your head would be very suggestive
among the Welsh hills.'
The man who had been 'chaffing' Sinfi then rose and walked towards
his Quaker-like companion, and I had an opportunity of observing him
fully.
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