"Of course," said Gouache. "How could we make such a mistake!"
He dropped the bit of chalk he held and looked at Madame d'Aragona.
"What difference does it make?" asked the latter. "A lion--a tiger! I am sure they are very much alike."
"After all, it is a tiresome idea," said the painter. "You will be much better in the damask cloak. Besides, with the lion's skin you should have the club--imagine a club in your hands! And Hercules should be spinning at your feet--a man in a black coat and a high collar, with a distaff! It is an absurd idea."
"You should not call my ideas absurd and tiresome. It is not civil."
"I thought it had been mine," observed Gouache.
"Not at all. I thought of it--it was quite original."
Gouache laughed a little and looked at Orsino as though asking his opinion.
"Madame is right," said the latter. "She suggested the whole idea--by having yellow eyes."
"You see, Gouache. I told you so. The Prince takes my view. What will you do?"
"Doubtless--but you must think of another subject, with a tiger in it."
"Nothing easier. Noble Roman damsel--Colosseum--tiger about to spring--rose--"
"Just heaven! What an old story! Besides, I have not the type."
"The 'Mysteries of Dionysus,'" suggested Gouache. "Thyrsus, leopard's skin--"
"A Bacchante! Fie, Monsieur--and then, the leopard, when we only have a tiger."
"Indian princess interviewed by a man-eater--jungle--new moon--tropical vegetation--"
"You can think of nothing but subjects for a dark type," said Madame d'Aragona impatiently.
"The fact is, in countries where the tiger walks abroad, the women are generally brunettes."
"I hate facts. You who are enthusiastic, can you not help us?" She turned to Orsino.
"Yes, I am sure of it. Think of something."
Orsino was not pleased. He would have preferred to be thought cold and impassive.
"What can I say? The first idea was the best. Get a lion instead of a tiger--nothing is simpler."
"For my part I prefer the damask cloak and the original picture," said Gouache with decision. "All this mythology is too complicated--too Pompeian--how shall I say? Besides there is no distinct allusion. A Hercules on a bracket--anybody may have that. If you were the Marchessa di San Giacinto, for instance--oh, then everyone would laugh."