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y reason of some epigram； flung at the work of art； that may wound some heart behind you。 A figure not to be forgotten； certainly； if ever it should occur to any painter with a passion for modernity to fix on canvas that very typical manifestation of Parisian life； the opening of an exhibition in that vast conservatory of sculpture； with its paths of yellow sand； and its immense glass roof beneath which； half…way up； stand out the galleries of the first floor； lined by heads bent over to look down； and decorated with improvised flowing draperies。
In a rather cold light； made pallid by those green curtains that hang all around； in which one would fancy that the light…rays become rarefied； in order to give to the vision of the people walking about the room a certain contemplative justice； the slow crowd goes and comes； pauses； disperses itself over the seats in serried groups； and yet mixing up different sections of society more thoroughly than any other assembly； just as the weather； uncertain and changeable at this time of the year； produces a confusion in the world of clothes； causes to brush each other as they pass； the black laces； the imperious train of the great lady come to see how her portrait looks； and the Siberian furs of the actress just back from Russia and anxious that everybody should know it。
Here； no boxes； no stalls； no reserved seats； and it is this that gives to this /premiere/ in full daylight so great a charm of curiosity。 Genuine ladies of fashion are able to form an opinion of those painted beauties who receive so much commendation in an artificial light； the little hat； following a new mode of the Marquise de Bois l'Hery； confronts the more than modest toilette of some artist's wife or daughter； while the model who posed for that beautiful Andromeda at the entrance； goes by victoriously； clad in too short a skirt； in wretched garments that hide her beauty beneath all the false lines of fashion。 People observe； admire； criticise each other； exchange glances contemptuous； disdainful； or curious； interrupted suddenly at the passage of a celebrity； of that illustrious critic whom we seem still to see； tranquil and majestic； his powerful head framed in its long hair； making the round of the exhibits in sculpture followed by a dozen young disciples eager to hear the verdict of his kindly authority。 If the sound of voices is lost beneath that immense dome； sonorous only under the two vaults of the entrance and the exit； faces take on there an astonishing intensity； a relief of movement and animation concentrated especially in the huge； dark bay where refreshments are served； crowded to overflowing and full of gesticulation； the brightly coloured hats of the women and the white aprons of the waiters gleaming against the background of dark clothes； and in the great space in the middle where the oval swarming with visitors makes a singular contrast with the immobility of the exhibited statues； producing the insensible palpitation with which their marble whiteness and their movements as of apotheosis are surrounded。
There are wings poised in giant flight； a sphere supported by four allegorical figures whose attitude of turning suggests some vague waltz…measurea total effect of equilibrium well conveying the illusion of the sweeping onward of the earth； and there are arms raised to give the signal； bodies heroically risen； containing an allegory； a symbol which stamps them with death and immortality； secures to them a place in history； in legend； in that ideal world of museums which is visited by the curiosity or the admiration of the nations。
Although Felicia's group in bronze had not the proportions of these large pieces； its exceptional merit had caused it to be selected to adorn one of the open spaces in the middle； from which at this moment the public was holding itself at a respectful distance； watching； over the hedge of custodians and policemen； the Bey of Tunis and his suite； an array of long bernouses falling in sculptural folds； which had the effect of placing living statues opposite the other ones。
The Bey； who had been in Paris since a few days before； and was the lion of all the /premieres/； had desired to see the opening of the exhibition。 He was 〃an enlightened prince； a friend of art；〃 who possessed at the Bardo a gallery of remarkable Turkish paintings and chromo…lithographic reproductions of all the battles of the First Empire。 The moment he entered； the sight of the big Arab greyhound had struck him as he passed。 It was the /sleughi/ all over； the true /sleughi/； delicate and nervous； of his own country； the companion of all his hunting expeditions。 He laughed in his black beard； felt the loins of the animal； stroked its muscles； seemed to want to urge it on still faster； while with nostrils open； teeth showing； all its limbs stretched out and unwearying in their vigorous elasticity； the aristocratic beast； the beast of prey； ardent in love and the chase； intoxicated with their double intoxication； its eyes fixed； was already enjoying a foretaste of its capture with a little end of its tongue which hung and seemed to sharpen the teeth with a ferocious laugh。 When you only looked at the hound you said to yourself； 〃He has got him！〃 But the sight of the fox reassured you immediately。 Beneath the velvet of his lustrous coat； cat…like almost lying along the ground； covering it rapidly without effort； you felt him to be a veritable fairy； and his delicate head with its pointed ears； which as he ran he turned towards the hound； had an expression of ironical security which clearly marked the gift received from the gods。
While an Inspector of Fine Arts； who had rushed up in all haste； with his official dress in disorder； and a head bald right down to his back； explained to Mohammed the apologue of 〃The Dog and the Fox；〃 related in the descriptive catalogue with these words inscribed beneath； 〃Now it happened that they met；〃 and the indication； 〃The property of the Duc de Mora；〃 the fat Hemerlingue； perspiring and puffing by his Highness's side； had great difficulty to convince him that this masterly piece of sculpture was the work of the beautiful young lady whom they had encountered the previous evening riding in the Bois。 How could a woman； with her feeble hands； thus mould the hard bronze； and give to it the very appearance of the living body？ Of all the marvels of Paris； this was the one which caused the Bey the most astonishment。 He inquired consequently from the functionary if there was nothing else to see by the same artist。
〃Yes； indeed； monseigneur； another masterpiece。 If your Highness will deign to step this way I will conduct you to it。〃
The Bey commenced to move on again with his suite。 They were all admirable types； with chiselled features and pure lines； warm pallors of complexion of which even the reflections were absorbed by the whiteness of their /haiks/。 Magnificently draped； they contrasted with the busts ranged on either side of the aisle they were following； which； perched on their high columns； looking slender in the open air； exiled from their own home； from the surroundings in which doubtless they would have recalled severe labours； a tender affection； a busy