Besides this, it was he who tasted the macaroni, to maintain the pure flavor of the ancient tradition; and it must be allowed that he never permitted a grain of pepper too much, or an atom of parmesan too little.

His joy was at its height on that day when called upon to share the secret of Cropoli the younger, and to paint the famous sign.
He was seen at once rummaging with ardor in an old box, in which he found some brushes, a little gnawed by the rats, but still passable; some linseed-oil in a bottle, and a palette which had formerly belonged to Bronzino, that _dieu de la pittoure_, as the ultramontane artist, in his ever young enthusiasm, always called him.
Pittrino was puffed up with all the joy of a rehabilitation.
He did as Raphael had done--he changed his style, and painted, in the fashion of Albani, two goddesses rather than two queens.

These illustrious ladies appeared so lovely on the sign,--they presented to the astonished eyes such an assemblage of lilies and roses, the enchanting result of the changes of style in Pittrino--they assumed the _poses_ of sirens so Anacreontically--that the principal _echevin_, when admitted to view this capital piece in the _salle_ of Cropole, at once declared that these ladies were too handsome, of too animated a beauty, to figure as a sign in the eyes of passers-by.
To Pittrino he added, "His royal highness, Monsieur, who often comes into our city, will not be much pleased to see his illustrious mother so slightly clothed, and he will send you to the _oubliettes_ of the state; for, remember, the heart of that glorious prince is not always tender.
You must efface either the two sirens or the legend, without which I forbid the exhibition of the sign.

I say this for your sake, Master Cropole, as well for yours, Signor Pittrino." What answer could be made to this?
It was necessary to thank the _echevin_ for his kindness, which Cropole did.

But Pittrino remained downcast and said he felt assured of what was about to happen.
The visitor was scarcely gone when Cropole, crossing his arms, said: "Well, master, what is to be done ?" "We must efface the legend," said Pittrino, in a melancholy tone.