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[[left side]]
and he was very complaisant and when I proposed that I should like to show him my work he vowed he'd come the next day or the day after (Saturday) as he was coming over to see Bilinska who lives near. So on Saturday he came. I was alone and a good deal scared as what I had done to the back-ground was sunken in and the whole thing looked weak and horrid. I wish I could give you an adequate account of this visit. I could'nt with out telling it in French. And I can hardly do that - and of course cant give you the impression of gesture and voice that illuminated and emphasized an ordinary word - nor all that a grunt an elevation of eyebrow or a nod of the head can mean when a Frenchman does it.

[[right side]]
He stood for a minute before the portrait with his arms folded then he turned to me and said "Je le trouve distingué - gracilieux charmant - mais je crains pour vous - je crains pour vous, et je vous direz pourquoi—"  Then he went on to tell me that I was a true artist but that he feared that in my enthusiasm for the ideal I would allow myself to fall into convention—  That I must have more method more system 
That I should compose arrange my picture my portrait as my taste my imagination dictated  search until I found exactly what I wanted and then copy it with the conscientiousness "d'un religion"! He almost wept when he said this and I did not suppose the fat old fellow could become so earnest and excited. No dying saint appealing 

Transcription Notes:
. Anna Bilinska- artist complaisant: marked by an inclination to please complacent: marked by self-satisfaction