Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/240

 When he left the little house in Bergognona street, his joy proclaimed itself in all his movements; the radiant smile of hope animated his features; glory and love, those gods of youth were coming to him to carry him off to their heaven; there was enough in this dream to render delirious a less ardent head than that of Antonio Scacciati. His Magdalen at the feet of Christ appeared to his eyes of inestimable price, since the eulogium bestowed upon it by Salvator. He felt proud and worthy of the original, since this copy of an angelic face had risen him to the rank of a master. He awaited with anxiety the result of the promises of his friend.

At some time from this, the day came when the Academy of San-Luca opened in the church the annual exhibition of paintings. Salvator had Scacciati's Magdalen carried there: the masters of San-Luca were surprised at the vigor of the coloring and the gracefulness of the drawing, and as soon as Salvator opened his mouth to announce that this marvellous painting was the work of a poor artist who had died at Naples, these gentlemen exhausted themselves in eulogiums and admiration; the whole of the inhabitants of Rome were soon invited to see this legacy of genius. They all agreed in saying that since the time of Guido Reni nothing so beautiful had appeared; the most enthusiastic went so far as to place the beautiful Magdalen above all that Guido had done.

In the thickest of the crowd who were praising the work of Scacciati, Salvator found one day, a man of strange aspect; he was a middle-aged man, tall and thin, with a thin face ornamented with two red eyes, with a long pointed nose, and a long chin covered with a bunch of grey hair. This unique look was framed in a kind of stringy wig, surmounted by a high crowned hat with a plume; a little brown mantle very scant, garnished with bright buttons, a Spanish doublet slashed with blue, a rapier nobly rusted, clear grey stockings which showed the knee-pan, and shoes loaded with pink bows, completed his costume. This uncommon personage seemed to be in ecstacies before the Magdalen; now raising himself on the