MULCIBER SMITH. 523 



Had I three ears 



"Two are quite enough, thank you. As the eye became more fami- 

 liarized with the gloom, we were enabled to discern that no person was suf- 

 ciently near to detect the tenor of a conversation discreetly conducted ; 

 and satisfied in this respect, the mysterious fair one began it in substance 

 and fashion somewhat as follows :" 



" Was permit me was her accent Israelitish ?" 



" Mulciber Smith ! there are occasions when the interruptions of our 

 dearest friends are rude and untimely, and this is one of them. Her 

 voice was the voice of music, plaintive and very pleasant, low breathing 

 an unremembered melody." 



" Patience! ye gods ; but this is too moving ! Fred, Fred, thou art 

 indeed a supreme donkey. But proceed." 



"Be dumb, then : thus she murmured. ' The illusion of this view is 

 indeed most perfect in the agitation of last night I scarcely remember 

 what I said to you and admirably sustained had it not been for your 

 generous sympathy the imposing grandeur of the architecture, and the 

 solemn stillness which seems to reign throughout the interior during 

 that unhappy scene in the crush room I must have sunk under the public 

 outrage my feelings sustained the deep adoration of the devotees and 

 the pious deportment of the monks conspire to render the subject most 

 impressive his conduct was most intemperate and unmanly the drawing 

 is exquisitely correct though old, he is extremely violent and vindictive 

 and how true to nature is the colouring assure me, I implore 

 that no meeting has already taken or will take place between you or, ra- 

 ther how true to art / could never forgive myself if on my account you 

 you were to incur danger the eye is quite deceived by this masterly 

 effort of genius -promise me, then, that no hostile consequence shall ensue 

 the painting is a superb deceit ! She paused : I took the word, and 

 rambled on vaguely. 



" ' This view is a great favourite of mine in consequence of its extreme 

 fidelity be under no apprehensions on my account the painful situation 

 in which you were last night placed it is a noble painting pained me 

 intensely ; but tell me, have you experienced no ill effects from it ? and 

 does great credit / was incensed to a degree past supporting credit to 

 the artist and, though a stranger, could not resist my interference the 

 artist / owe a thousand apologies for my presumption artist (I could 

 not, for my soul, contrive to manage the intercurrent jargon cleverly) 

 but witnessing what I then satv, it was hard to repress ' 



" 'The effect, as you say say not another ivord; in this note you will 

 find all I dare communicate is very admirable it contains in truth but 

 the expression of my sincerest acknowledgements it is much to be deplored 

 that such works should be doomed to a perishable celebrity promise me 

 that you will not needlessly expose yourself to peril, and you will relive 

 my mind from inexpressible anxiety so excellent a work of art that 

 anxiety is my only apology for now meeting you ; in promising this inter- 

 view last night, my agitation was too great to consider the imprudence of 

 such a step deserves more lasting fame." 



" ' It does so, indeed / will promise every thing you ask you now 

 observe the cold grey light of morning but tell me when, where shall 1 

 have the happiness vf making further inquiries- breaking through the 



