'Cesare is right,' thought Giovanni. 'Better open blasphemy than these mockings--this smile as of the unbelieving Thomas, who thrust his fingers into the wounds of the Lord.'
Then Cesare showed a drawing in red chalk, tossed carelessly among the machines and the tables of calculations--the Virgin with the Child in the desert; seated on a stone, she was drawing triangles and circles with her finger on the sand--the Mother of God teaching the Divine Son geometry, the principle of all knowledge.
Giovanni gazed long at this strange drawing; then he held it to the mirror that they might decipher the inscription. Cesare had scarce read the first words, '_Necessity, the eternal teacher_,' when Leonardo's call was heard:--
'Astro! Bring me a light! Andrea! Marco! Giovanni! Cesare!' Then Giovanni turned pale. The mirror fell from his hands, breaking into pieces.
'An evil omen,' said Cesare with a smile.
Like thieves caught in the act they pushed the papers into their places, picked up the fragments of the mirror, opened the window, sprang to the ledge and, clinging to the water-pipe and the branches of the vine, dropped into the court. Cesare missed his hold, fell, and sprained his foot.
That evening Leonardo did not find his accustomed solace in his mathematics. He walked the room, seated himself, began a drawing, flung it aside. His mind was vaguely uneasy; there was something he must decide, yet could not. His thought reverted continually to the same thing; how Boltraffio had fled to Savonarola, had returned, and for a time had settled down to work, recovering his calm in the pursuit of art; but ever since that disastrous trial by fire, and especially since the news of the prophet's approaching execution had reached Milan, he had again been racked by doubts and regret. Leonardo understood how he suffered; how again he felt the necessity to go away, yet could not make up his mind to leave; how terrible was the struggle in a nature too deep not to feel, too weak to overcome its own contradictions. Sometimes Leonardo fancied he must himself drive his disciple away in order to save him.
A bitter smile came to his lips as he thought:--
'It is true that I--I only--have ruined him! 'Tis a just accusation that I have the evil eye! How am I to help him?'