This page has been validated.
198
THE EUROPEANS.
[CH.
"Well, that's very good. But there is another way," added Felix, smiling: "to look at it as an opportunity."
"An opportunity—yes," said Gertrude. "One would get more pleasure that way."
"I don't attempt to say anything better for it than that it has been my own way—and that is not saying much!" Felix had laid down his palette and brushes; he was leaning back, with his arms folded, to judge the effect of his work. "And you know," he said, "I am a very petty personage."
"You have a great deal of talent," said Gertrude.
"No—no," the young man rejoined, in a tone of cheerful impartiality, "I have not a great deal of talent. It is nothing at all
