Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/157

Rh he hardly ever returned to Les Pèlerins except to sleep. As Guidon improved, and developed exceptional gifts, Kehlmark's intense affection for his pupil became exclusive, even suspicious and almost selfish. Henry reserved to himself the privilege of being the only one to form this character, to enjoy this admirable nature, which should be his finest work, and to breathe the air of this delicate spirit. He cultivated the boy's mind jealously, like those rabid horticulturists who would murder the indiscreet intruder or the designing competitor, who might venture into their domains. There was a gentle intimacy between them. They sufficed the one to the other. The amazed Guidon dreamed of no other paradise than Escal-Vigor. Fame, or the desire of applause, never disturbed their life of pure artists.

Kehlmark had seen pretty closely the social and external life of self-styled artists. He knew the vanity of reputations, the prostitution of glory, the iniquity of success, the impurity of criticism, the competition among rivals of a nature more fierce and abominable than that between sordid shopkeepers.

Blandine, although a little distrustful, had