And there, in a chapel near the choir, might be seen, for a consideration, the most famous picture of the German school, the _Dombild_, by Stephan Lochner, a triptych representing the Adoration of the Magi on the centre panel, with St.
Ursula on the left hand shutter and St.Gereon on the right.
Durtal's consternation had risen to the highest pitch.

The work was thus arranged.

Against a gold background, a Virgin, crowned, red-haired, bullet-headed, dressed in blue, held on her knees an Infant blessing the Kings, two kneeling on each side of the throne.

One, an old fellow with a short beard like a retired officer, and hair curled like shavings over his ears, was sumptuously arrayed in crimson velvet brocaded with gold, his hands clasped; the other, a dandy with long hair and a large beard, dressed in green shot with gold and trimmed with fur, held up a golden cup.

And behind each, other figures were standing, flourishing their swords and standards, in cavalier attitudes, and posing for the public, thinking much more of the visitors than of the Virgin.
This, then, was the type of Madonna, of the supersensual and sublimated Virgins of Cologne! This one was puffy, redundant, chubby; she had the neck of a heifer, and flesh like cream, or hasty pudding, that quivers when it is touched.