He waved his hand toward another painting, a delicate and charming conception of a half-clothed woman, a picture in which the flesh-tints, the drapery, the lights all harmonized with exquisite art.

“You would approve of that because it pleases your eye and soothes your senses, yet you know that all womankind is not slim and graciou—­that all life is not lived in boudoirs.”

“Neither is man all beast.”

“Ah, that is it!  If we are to be students of human nature we must not be swayed in one direction or the other; and that is the difficulty—­to be dispassionate.  Sometimes it is—­very difficult!”

It came with a charm indescribable, this sudden admission of weakness, accompanied by a deprecating, pleading glance, and the Irishman was filled with a sudden sense of having recovered something personal and precious.

“What are you?” he cried.  “It’s my turn to seek the truth now.  What are you, you incomprehensible being?”

The boy laughed, the old careless, light-hearted laugh of the creature infinitely free.

“Do not ask!  Do not ask!” he said.  “A riddle is only interesting while it is unsolved.”

CHAPTER VI

With the laugh the personal moment passed.  Henceforward it was the technique of the pictures, the individualism of the artists that claimed the boy’s attention, and in this new field he proved himself yet another being—­a creature of quick perception and curiously mature judgment, appreciative and observant, critical and generous.

In warm and interested discussion they made the tour of the rooms, and when they emerged again into the frosty morning air and were greeted by the dazzle of the sun, each was conscious of a deeper understanding.  A new expression of interest and something of respect was visible in the Irishman’s face as he looked down on the puzzling, elusive being whom he had picked up from the skirts of chance as he might have filched a jewel or a coin.

“Look here, boy!” he said, “we mustn’t say good-bye just yet.  Come across the river, and let’s find some little place where we can get a seat and a cup of coffee.”

The boy’s only answer was to turn obediently, as the other slipped his hand through his arm, and to allow himself to be guided back across the Cours la Reine and over the Pont Alexandre III.

The bridge looked almost as impressive as the Place de la Concorde under its white garment, and his glance ranged from the high columns, topped by the winged horses, to the thronging bronze lamps, while the sense of breath and freedom fitted with his secret thoughts.