"I have some excellent ivory-black; it will be done in a moment, and we will replace the Medici by the nymphs or the sirens, whichever you prefer." "No," said Cropole, "the will of my father must be carried out.

My father considered----" "He considered the figures of the most importance," said Pittrino.
"He thought most of the legend," said Cropole.
"The proof of the importance in which he held the figures," said Pittrino, "is that he desired they should be likenesses, and they are so." "Yes; but if they had not been so, who would have recognized them without the legend?
At the present day even, when the memory of the Blaisois begins to be faint with regard to these two celebrated persons, who would recognize Catherine and Mary without the words 'To the Medici' ?" "But the figures ?" said Pittrino, in despair; for he felt that young Cropole was right.

"I should not like to lose the fruit of my labor." "And I should not wish you to be thrown into prison and myself into the oubliettes." "Let us efface 'Medici,'" said Pittrino, supplicatingly.
"No," replied Cropole, firmly.

"I have got an idea, a sublime idea--your picture shall appear, and my legend likewise.

Does not 'Medici' mean doctor, or physician, in Italian ?" "Yes, in the plural." "Well, then, you shall order another sign-frame of the smith; you shall paint six physicians, and write underneath 'Aux Medici' which makes a very pretty play upon words." "Six physicians! impossible! And the composition ?" cried Pittrino.
"That is your business--but so it shall be--I insist upon it--it must be so--my macaroni is burning." This reasoning was peremptory--Pittrino obeyed.