“Not yet.  But when I make up my mind to anything, it is soon done.  I am about to return to Paris.  They write me word that a handsome wife advances the career of a patriot.  The age of prejudice is over.  The sublimer virtues begin to be understood.  I shall take back the handsomest wife in Europe.”

“Be quiet!  What are you about?” said Mervale, seizing Glyndon as he saw him advance towards the Frenchman, his eyes sparkling, and his hands clenched.

“Sir!” said Glyndon, between his teeth, “you know not of whom you thus speak.  Do you affect to suppose that Viola Pisani would accept you?”

“Not if she could get a better offer,” said Mervale, looking up to the ceiling.

“A better offer?  You don’t understand me,” said Nicot.  “I, Jean Nicot, propose to marry the girl; marry her!  Others may make her more liberal offers, but no one, I apprehend, would make one so honourable.  I alone have pity on her friendless situation.  Besides, according to the dawning state of things, one will always, in France, be able to get rid of a wife whenever one wishes.  We shall have new laws of divorce.  Do you imagine that an Italian girl—­and in no country in the world are maidens, it seems, more chaste (though wives may console themselves with virtues more philosophical)—­would refuse the hand of an artist for the settlements of a prince?  No; I think better of the Pisani than you do.  I shall hasten to introduce myself to her.”

“I wish you all success, Monsieur Nicot,” said Mervale, rising, and shaking him heartily by the hand.

Glyndon cast at them both a disdainful glance.

“Perhaps, Monsieur Nicot,” said he, at length, constraining his lips into a bitter smile,—­“perhaps you may have rivals.”

“So much the better,” replied Monsieur Nicot, carelessly, kicking his heels together, and appearing absorbed in admiration at the size of his large feet.

“I myself admire Viola Pisani.”

“Every painter must!”

“I may offer her marriage as well as yourself.”

“That would be folly in you, though wisdom in me.  You would not know how to draw profit from the speculation!  Cher confrere, you have prejudices.”

“You do not dare to say you would make profit from your own wife?”

“The virtuous Cato lent his wife to a friend.  I love virtue, and I cannot do better than imitate Cato.  But to be serious,—­I do not fear you as a rival.  You are good-looking, and I am ugly.  But you are irresolute, and I decisive.  While you are uttering fine phrases, I shall say, simply, ‘I have a bon etat.  Will you marry me?’ So do your worst, cher confrere.  Au revoir, behind the scenes!”

So saying, Nicot rose, stretched his long arms and short legs, yawned till he showed all his ragged teeth from ear to ear, pressed down his cap on his shaggy head with an air of defiance, and casting over his left shoulder a glance of triumph and malice at the indignant Glyndon, sauntered out of the room.