I am ordered by the reigning 'Goddess' of 'Modern Art'-- 'The Age'-- to bring you into her 'Court.' You have won favor in her sight.

She finds you good to look at.
She hopes to find you--as good as you look.

If you do not disappoint her, your fame is assured." "Nonsense," said the artist, somewhat sharply; nettled by the obvious meaning and by the sneering sarcasm of the novelist's words and tone.
To which the other returned suggestively, "It is precisely because you can say, 'nonsense,' when you know it is no nonsense at all, but the exact truth, that your chance for fame is so good, my friend." "And did some reigning 'Goddess' insure your success and fame ?" The older man turned his peculiar, penetrating, baffling eyes full upon his companion's face, and in a voice full of cynical sadness answered, "Exactly so.

I paid court to the powers that be.

They gave me the reward I sought; and--they made me what I am." So it came about that Conrad Lagrange, in due time, introduced Aaron King to the house on Fairlands Heights.