She hardly knew a dozen words of any language
besides English, and was only acquainted with English and American
writers; of poets, she knew Shakespeare and Byron best; from life and
books she had extracted but few general opinions, but on the other hand,
very individual personal views. These were based upon the theory that
the lesser mind must always subordinate itself to the higher, and that
the higher has a right to utilise freely the time and strength of the
lesser, without being called to account for doing so. She herself was
abjectly modest towards the artists she looked up to. Other people might
all wait, come again, go away without a reply.
Rather small of stature, strong and healthy,--she had never been ill,
never taken medicine,--with white teeth and red cheeks, quick in
everything, when several people were present she spoke only little and
absently, was as cold, deliberate and composed as a man of strong
character; but at the same time she was unsuspecting and generous, and
in spite of her restlessness and her ambitious industry, ingratiatingly
coquettish towards anyone whose affection she wished to win. It was
amusing to watch the manner in which she despatched the dutifully
sighing Italians who scarcely crossed the threshold of her studio before
they declared themselves.
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