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1841.] This is a high and unexpected honour,

What has procured it for me?

Eagerness

To visit him who for two months has been

Our city's greatest ornament, has brought Me hither; and I trust that Providence

Bernardo! are you here, my worthy friend?

As surgeon, I've the honour to attend

Our great friend here, who lately broke his arm

By a fall from horseback. (Addressing Salvator,) Now, sir, you must not

Remove the bandages too soon, nor task

Too much your scarcely renovated strength.

(Aside to Salvator,) Pray, if you love me, do not say a word

To this man here, touching our late discourse.—(Exit.)

You are acquainted, then, with this Ravienna?

You heard him say he was my surgeon.

. Oh!

Merely Your surgeon. Let me speak a word

To you in confidence: he is a fellow

Full of impertinence: he worms himself

Into folks' houses, and do what we will,

We cannot keep him out.

(cutting him short, and pointing to a seat.) Be seated, sir.

Now, pray, what special mission brings you here?

Is it to buy a picture you are come?

In part it is.

. In part! part of a picture!

Is that what you would purchase?

Nay, good sir,

You're jocular. I would not purchase part;

But I would have a bright transcendent whole.

And so you shall—if you will pay the price.

I'll pay you handsomely, and you shall see

How falsely I'm abused by the report

Which calls me covetous. But something more

Than payment is concerned in this transaction.

Salvator, the proposal I would make

Is one of a peculiar kind; it is—

It is—you see——

Come to the point at once.

You know to-morrow is the day on which

The prizes given by our Academy

Of Painting are to be decided?

Yes—

I'm perfectly aware of that; the prize

For the best painting is five hundred crowns,

Two hundred for the second.

Quite correct.

I'm a competitor myself, and have

Sent in one picture; and I'm now engaged

In finishing a second. ·

(joyfully.) That will do?

'Tis that which bring me here.

To purchase?

Yes,

That very picture.

Which?