She looked up, and perceiving the artist above her at her
work, paused, hesitating before kneeling at the footstool in front
of the altar.
In an instant a light step tripped down the steps of the wooden
erection, and a little figure, clad in a brown holland frock, which
wrapped it from head to foot, stood by her side.
Paolina knew very well who the lady that had entered the chapel was:
and, as may be easily imagined, she too was not without her share of
curiosity.
"Do I disturb you, Signorina?" said Paolina, in a sweet, gentle
voice. "If you would prefer it, I will wait till you have finished
your prayer. I can kneel here too the while."
Violante looked at the girlish face, bright not only with the
elements of material beauty, but with the animation of intelligence
and the informing expression of talent. One would have said that
nothing could well be less becoming than such a long shapeless
wrapper as that which the artist wore. There was the band at the
waist, which showed that the figure was slight and slender; but, for
the rest, a less ornamental costume could not well be imagined.
Nevertheless, Violante perfectly well perceived and understood at a
glance that this girl had what she had not--a something by virtue of
which it was possible for her to win a man's love, while for herself
it was, or seemed to her appreciation of herself, impossible.
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