The adroit artist was asking Mr. Casaubon questions about English polities, which brought long answers, and, Will meanwhile had perched himself on some steps in the background overlooking all.

Presently Naumann said⁠—“Now if I could lay this by for half an hour and take it up again⁠—come and look, Ladislaw⁠—I think it is perfect so far.”

Will vented those adjuring interjections which imply that admiration is too strong for syntax; and Naumann said in a tone of piteous regret⁠—

“Ah⁠—now⁠—if I could but have had more⁠—but you have other engagements⁠—I could not ask it⁠—or even to come again tomorrow.”

“Oh, let us stay!” said Dorothea. “We have nothing to do today except go about, have we?” she added, looking entreatingly at Mr. Casaubon. “It would be a pity not to make the head as good as possible.”