Chapter IV.—The Weakness of a Woman.It might have been thought I should have been feeling very nervous as I approached the Art Academy upon the following Monday morning, but no—I took it all in my stride and went on to the platform to face the sea of upturned faces as if I had been accustomed to doing it all my life. Certainly, Monsieur de Vallon who was the only one present there who knew it was my first experience as a model, was a great encouragement to me with his business-like manner and yet kindly smile.
As his secretary had told me he would be, he was most considerate with me, taking care when I was upon the platform it was sufficiently warm. I had a tall screen behind me and a radiator at my feet. Upon the screen was pinned a thermometer and he saw to it that the temperature did n
