Eusebe understood that he did not understand. The provincial felt humiliated because he could not catch the sense of certain phrases and words which were, doubtless, clear enough to Paul Buck. The painter, who cared more for a listener than for an adept who understood him, did not take the trouble to explain the theories he promulgated.

As a consequence, Eusebe grew uneasy of the conversation; and, as Buck perceived this, he conducted his friend to a cafÉ, where artists, “models,” and other people fond of lounging and chat, were wont to congregate.

But there Eusebe found the language used to be still more incomprehensible than that of Paul. The conversation consisted of dissertations on the Æsthetic in art, intermingled with cant phrases and philosophical reflections.

To this resort the provincial accompanied his friend two or three times. He would undoubtedly have finished by understanding the peculiar language of the artistic assemblage, if chance had not given him another occupation and preserved him from this great danger. He escaped Scylla to be sacrificed at Capua.