"Everybody knows it."

Then, little by little, the crowd of visitors dispersed. Only Madame
Marmet and Paul Vence remained.

The latter went toward Madame Martin, and asked:

"When do you wish me to introduce Dechartre to you?"

It was the second time he had asked this of her. She did not like to see
new faces. She replied, unconcernedly:

"Your sculptor? When you wish. I saw at the Champ de Mars medallions
made by him which are very good. But he does not work much. He is an
amateur, is he not?"

"He is a delicate artist. He does not need to work in order to live.
He caresses his figures with loving slowness. But do not be deceived
about him, Madame. He knows and he feels. He would be a master if he
did not live alone. I have known him since his childhood. People think
that he is solitary and morose. He is passionate and timid. What he
lacks, what he will lack always to reach the highest point of his art,
is simplicity of mind. He is restless, and he spoils his most beautiful
impressions. In my opinion he was created less for sculpture than for
poetry or philosophy. He knows a great deal, and you will be astonished
at the wealth of his mind."

Madame Marmet approved.