Page:The Tragic Muse (London & New York, Macmillan & Co., 1890), Volume 2.djvu/144

136 "Of course I see that—that your engagement at your own theatre keeps you from going to others. Learn then," said Gabriel Nash, "that you have a great competitor and that you are distinctly not, much as you may suppose it, the rising comedian. The Tragic Muse is the great modern personage. Haven't you heard people speak of her, haven't you been taken to see her?"

"I dare say I've heard of her; but with a good many other things on my mind I had forgotten it."

"Certainly I can imagine what has been on your mind. She remembers you at any rate; she repays neglect with sympathy. She wants to come and see you."

"To see me?"

"To be seen by you—it comes to the same thing. She's worth seeing: you must let me bring her; you'll find her very suggestive. That idea that you should paint her—she appears to consider it a sort of bargain."

"A bargain? What will she give me?" Nick asked.

"A splendid model. She is splendid."

"Oh, then bring her," said Nick.