every blade of grass or fern in the picture. These small tamarisk
trees that fringe the glade will be bent nearly double. The spirit
of the wind must be in the whole painting. That will be the great
effect, of course."

"And Apollo?"

"I cannot put him in. You see, I do want this to be taken at the
Academy next year, and though they have scores of nude women, they
would not have a nude god at any price: and it would be too
inartistic to clothe Apollo. So I have supposed him invisible; being
a god, he would be so to all except Hyacinthus. Simply his hand,
holding the quoit, will be faintly suggested, and the light allowed
to fall through it."

There was silence. "Do you like it?" she said suddenly to me.

"Yes. I think the idea is unconventional: but on that account you
will probably be rejected."

"I must risk it. Hyacinthus is to be in white, and must look
radiantly, gloriously happy."

"I say, do you want me to look radiantly, gloriously happy-because
that will be rather difficult just now."

"As far as you can. You see, the point is that he was struck and
killed in the moment of supreme confidence and light-hearted joy."

"How very uncomfortable! Is that to be my fate?" I said laughing.