Before she had gained courage to answer him, however, he lifted his
head, with another deep sigh, and said, in a very quiet and ordinary
tone and manner,
"Your scaffold is all prepared for you there, Signora, according to
the directions of the Signor Marchese Ludovico di Castelmare, who
brought with him an order from the Archbishop's Chancellor. Will you
look at it, and see if it is as you wish, and say where you wish to
have it placed."
The mosaics in the apse of the centre nave are the most remarkable
of those that remain at St. Apollinare, though many of the series of
medallion portraits of the Bishops of the See from the foundation of
it, which circle the entire nave, are very curious. Paolina had
engaged to copy two or three of the most remarkable of these; but
she intended to begin her work by attacking the larger figures in
the apse. And the scaffolding had been placed there on the southern
side.
"I think that is just where I should wish to have it," said Paolina,
looking up at the vault. "If I may, I will go up and see whether it
is near enough to the figure I have to copy."
"Do so, my daughter. It looks a great height, but I have no doubt
that it is quite safe. The Signor Marchese was very particular in
seeing to it himself. See, I will go up first to give you courage."
And so saying, the old man with a slow but firm step began to ascend
the ladder of the scaffolding.
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