CHAPTER XII.
OUIDA PROPOSES MARRIAGE.
Even the preacher's passion, the knowledge of his awful sacrifice, did not rob the artist of her inspiration for work. Proceeding to the studio, filled with treasures of brush and mallet, she found Paul, the model, and Milton, the student.
"Any commands for me," said Milton, with deference and respect.
"Yes," said Ouida, "you may assist in arranging the pose."
Milton, for a few moments, attempts to place the model in the attitude, consistent with the conception of Ouida.
"Ah," reflected Ouida, aloud, "if I can but tonight imprint on stone the image that long has haunted me, "I'll wring from men the unwilling confession that truly in my veins flows the blood of Michael Angelo."
Her unconscious talk was interrupted by Paul, who almost sullenly said: "I do not care to work tonight."
"Hush!" said Ouida, "breathe not. I would not have had you fail me tonight for a brace of kingdoms."
She then crosses over to where Paul and Milton stood, saying to the latter: "Nay, not thus. Let him stand and look as though with mighty power he bears the weighty earth upon his massive shoulders. There, that is better. Go. Leave me, Milton; I would be alone with him."
