Out of the Past — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Out of the Past. 51 since there is not enough there even for myself. I ama beggar in art, monsieur.” “Beggars in art wear crowns in the end.” “Crowns of thorns, perhaps, without the saintship to lend them grace.” “For all your scorn of the beggar in art, I would rather wear his rags than the whole skin of a clerk,” said Robert, meditatively. “Yet a clerk may happen to be blessed with a mind be- yond his condition.”’ “Then he is a beggar, indeed. To possess a mind be- yond your condition is to live within the gates of the Inferno. No—no! Give me freedom and vast power to enjoy the world’s beauty. Give me the longing to add to that beauty. Give me the hope of success in that longing.”’ Rose remained silent, stirred by his enthusiasm. “But you do not say that you will help me to-morrow,” pleaded Robert. “It cannot help you much to have so poor a thing as myself lost in an audience of many hundreds—one mind more to be swayed.” Robert looked down at her feet. “But if I could stir your heart I should have stirred all,” CONMMICLOOOKS.: