That, and a constant close study of the New Testament,
set the thought in my brain,--a thought which gradually expressed
itself in this form. So far as any work belongs to the worker, it is
entirely my own creation. I am sorry you should have implied any
doubt of it!"
Here her voice trembled a little, but she quickly steadied it. He
smiled--a little difficult smile--and slipping his right hand
between his coat and vest, felt for something he always carried
there. It should never be!
"My dear Angela!" he said, with a gracious tranquillity that was
almost dignity, "I do not doubt you in the least!--I merely SUGGEST
what all the world will SAY! There is not an art-critic alive who
will accept this--this extraordinary production--as the work of a
woman! It is the kind of thing which might have been produced
hundreds of years ago by a great master setting his pupils to work
at different sections of the canvas,--but that one woman, painting
all alone for three years, should have designed and executed such a
masterpiece--yes!--I will admit it is a masterpiece!--is an unheard
of and altogether an extraordinary thing, and you must not wonder if
competent judges reject the statement with incredulity!"
"It does not matter to me," said Angela, "what they reject or
accept.
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