I have already consoled myself with Bianca Sacchini,--a handsome woman, enlightened, no prejudices.

A valuable creature I shall find her, no doubt.

But as for this Zanoni!" "What of him ?" "If ever I paint an allegorical subject, I will take his likeness as Satan.

Ha, ha! a true painter's revenge,--eh?
And the way of the world, too! When we can do nothing else against a man whom we hate, we can at least paint his effigies as the Devil's.

Seriously, though: I abhor that man." "Wherefore ?' "Wherefore! Has he not carried off the wife and the dowry I had marked for myself! Yet, after all," added Nicot, musingly, "had he served instead of injured me, I should have hated him all the same.