Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/236

 easel, and several sketches that dame Catherine kept as relics of you. You will return to health, to glory; this is more than is necessary for the happiness of your poor servant Antonia Scacciati, who desired nothing so much as to see once in his life the celebrated Salvator Rosa!"

"I cannot guess," said Salvator," what motives animate the affectionate sentiments that you express towards me."

"Permit me," continued the young man, "to still keep silence; but when you are recovered, I will confide to you a great secret."

"Dispose of me," replied Salvator, "for I know not the face of a man that I have contemplated with more interest than yours; the more I look at you, the more I seem to find in your features resemblance to those of the divine Sanzio!"

At these words, his eyes flashed like lightning, but he did not answer. The good Catherine entered the little chamber, followed by father Bonifazio, who offered Salvator an excellent strengthening cordial.

A very few days after, our artist, perfectly recovered, took up his pencil again and drew several sketches, which he proposed executing in oil. Antonio very seldom quitted him; he was present during his hours of labor, and often made observations which announced very advanced practical notions.

"Listen," said Salvator to him, one day, "you understand too well the rules of the art to allow me not to believe that you have yourself handled the pencil."

"Remember, my dear master," answered Antonio, that I spoke to you during your illness, of a secret that consumes my heart; the time seems to have come for me to open my mind to you. Why should I conceal from you that Antonio Scacciati, the poor surgeon who, God aiding, saved your life, burns like yourself with the most ardent love for art?"

"Truly, think well of it, dear Antonio, from skilful surgeon that you are, do not become a moderate painter; are you not a little too old for a study which would require a whole lifetime?"