第16部分(第7/7 頁)

I recently married the most beautiful

maiden in the neighborhood。 When I’m not illuminating； we make love like

mad。　Then　I　set　to　working　again。　That’s　not　how　I　answered。　“It’s　a　serious

issue；”　I　said。　“If　masterpieces　issue　from　the　brush　of　a　miniaturist；　when　it

es　to　issuing　it　to　his　wife；　he’ll　be　at　a　loss　to　bestir　the　same　joy；”　I　said。

“The　opposite　holds　true　as　well：　If　a　man’s　reed　satisfies　the　wife；　his　reed　of

artistry　will　pale　in　parison；”　I　added。　Like　everyone　who　envies　the　talent

of　the　miniaturist；　Black；　too；　believed　these　lies　and　was　heartened。

He　said　he　wanted　to　see　the　last　pages　I’d　illustrated。　I　seated　him　at　my

worktable； among the paints； inkwells； burnishing stones； brushes； pens and

reed…cutting　boards。　Black　was　examining　the　double…leaf　painting　I　was　in　the

process　of　pleting　for　the　Book　of　Festivities；　which　portrayed　Our　Prince’s

circumcision ceremony； and I sat beside him on the red cushion whose

warmth reminded me that my beautiful wife with her gorgeous thighs had

been　si