Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/179

157 THE ETRUSCAN VASE 157

den gate with him he began to tap the detested vase with the key, at first gently, then gradually increasing the force of his blows until it seemed as though he would soon smash it to atoms.

" Oh, do be careful! " Mathilde exclaimed. " You will break my beautiful Etruscan vase! "

She snatched the key out of his hands.

Saint-Clair was very angry, but he resigned himself and turned his back on the chimney-piece to avoid temptation. Opening his watch, he began to examine the portrait that had just been given him.

" Who painted it? " he asked.

" Monsieur R, and it was Massigny who

introduced him to my notice. (After Massigny had been in Rome he discovered that he had exquisite taste in art, and constituted himself the Macsenas of aU young painters.) I really think the portrait is like me, though it is a little too flattering."

Saint-Clair had a burning desire to fling the watch against the wall, to break it beyond all hope of mending. He controlled himself, how- ever, and put the watch in his pocket. Then he noticed that it was dayhght, and, entreating Mathilde not to come out with him, he left the house and crossed the garden with rapid strides, and was soon alone in the country.