(_Brusquely._) We agreed--(_pretended severity_)--solemnly, you remember--never to mention your princely lover’s name. Nothing stops good painting like jealousy, and at _that_ name I see blood. _Lucia_ (_Smiling._) Our Palace is too poor to house even that thin ghost. You have no need to think of jealousy. _Paulo_ No need now, Lucia. In Venice we are safe from Damiano di Medici. Now, will you sit for me? I burn to work. Come! You must have roses in your hands. I will go to the flower-sellers by the bridge. _Lucia_ I would have brought them with me from the market-place--one scudi each! I hesitated---- _Paulo_ And bought ten sprats instead! My wonderful, clever house-wife. Without sprats to eat I never could paint roses! But I must have them. I shall be but a moment away, my love--a single moment (_throwing kisses from the door_) that will seem like years! Farewell … Little Child. _Lucia_ Little Child! Ah, how I love that name, given to me with our first kiss. I love it better than my own. (_Thinks a moment, puzzled._) For somehow it seems my _very_ own---- _Paulo_ It is your own. The little love-name that seems to travel like memory up the ages. I shall be back as soon as you are ready. [_Exit_ [_Knocking at the door startles her._ (_Enter DAMIANO DI MEDICI._) _Lucia_ You! And so soon. It is _too_ soon. I’ve had no time to prepare him yet---- _Medici_ A painter receives his patron without preparation surely---- _Lucia_ Patron! You must not use that word to him, or all is ruined before it is even begun. You must remember---- _Medici_ (_Bows ironically._) “Must” to me! And “must” again! My gracious Lady Lucia forgets---- _Lucia_ Nothing. She remembers that her husband, first of all, is proud, as I have already warned you. He does not yet know that I have been to see you--you, of all men in the world. _Medici_ (_Frowning._) When you say “proud” you mean, I take it, jealous. _Lucia_ I mean both. (_Manner changing._) Oh, Prince, you promised--I have your word that you would be guided in this by me. _Medici_ (_Unbending._) I was in haste to see the picture---- _Lucia_ But too great haste---- _Medici_ (_Ignoring her interruption._) For he is, I swear truly, the man I need--his work, that is to say. (_Threateningly._) As once, my Lady, you were the woman that I needed. But needs do not last for ever, nor is any indispensable--perhaps. _Lucia_ (_More control._) Oh, give me time, Prince, please. You do not want to lose him. I have your word and trust it. (_Anxiously._) Will you not take your gondola to the islands--the sun is sweet upon the water--and return in half an hour? I--by that time I---- _Medici_ The light is sweet upon your face as well. What do you offer me in return for so great a favour? _Lucia_ I am the wife of Paulo Salviati. _Medici_