Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/274

 the view—once generally held, but now to a large extent exploded—that woman's work cannot be equal to masculine effort. Angela has for years been engaged upon a picture which she hopes will be a masterpiece. No person—not even father or lover—has been permitted to gaze upon the canvas. A date for the uncovering and inspection of the picture is fixed. Alone in her studio the evening before, Florian begs admittance in order that he may inspect the picture that night, owing to a journey which he must take early on the morrow. Angela consents. "Come and see." The concealing curtain is removed and Florian recoils with an involuntary cry, and then remains motionless and silent, stricken dumb and stupid by the magnificent creation which confronts him.

"The central glory of the whole picture was a figure of Christ Kingly and commanding." Near by are seen the faces of many pre-*eminent in the history of the time. The Pope is shown fastening fetters of iron round a beautiful youth called Science. The leader of the Jesuits is counting gold. The forms of men representing every description of Church-doctrine are beheld trampling underneath them other human creatures.

"And over all this blackness and chaos the su