itting a saint； a peculiar feeling of guilt。 This；

perhaps； because my Enishte—who wanted painters； openly or secretly； to

imitate　the　methods　of　the　Frankish　masters—was　his　rival。

I　suddenly　sensed；　as　well；　that　I　was　perhaps　seeing　the　great　master　alive

for the last time； and in the fluster of wanting to please and hearten him； I

asked　a　question：

67

“My　great　master；　my　dear　sir；　what　separates　the　genuine　miniaturist　from

the　ordinary？”　I　assumed　the　Head　Illuminator；　who　was　accustomed　to　such

fawning questions； would give me a dismissive response； and that he was

presently　in　the　midst　of　forgetting　who　I　was　altogether。

“There　is　no　single　measure　that　can　distinguish　the　great　miniaturist　from

the　unskilled　and　faithless　one；”　he　said　in　all　seriousness。　“This　changes　with

time。 Yet the skills and morality with which he would face the evils that

threaten our art are of significance。 Today； in order to determine just how

genuine　a　young　painter　is；　I’d　ask　him　three　questions。”

“And　what　would　they　be？”

“Has he e to believe； under the sway of recent custom as well as the

influence　of　the　Chinese　and　the　European　Franks；　that　he　ought　to　have　an

individual　painting　technique；　his　own　style？　As　an　illustrator；　does　he　want　to

have　a　manner；　an　aspect