The Figurine (The Scream of Persephone)
Illuminated by those rays of the sun that were able to penetrate the building, these wonderful objects appeared to take on a life of their own, which even made a strong impression on Aunt Theodora. Just at that very moment, Gertrude's eyes fell upon one very curious figurine that was a faithful copy of Lorenzo Bernini's "The Rape of Prosperina". She could not take her eyes off the diminutive countenance of the goddess, who seemed to be looking straight at her, as if she was trying to tell her something.
"What are you marvelling at, Miss Lange?" asked Vincent.
She did not reply, as she was utterly absorbed by Persephone's lament, which was made quite inaudible by the sturdy glass walls of the case that separated the figurine from the outside world. With her left hand, the future Queen of the Underworld was pushing back the side of her ravisher's head, while the corners of Hades' mouth seemed to be smiling under his thick beard. Persephone's weakening fingers were almost touching his crown, as if she were about to wrest it off the curly-haired head of the Lord of Hell in a final act of despair.
"What have you seen there, my child?" asked Aunt Theodora.
Gertrude was still staring at the figurine. She looked first at the expression on Hades' sinister face, which was one of cruel satisfaction, then at Persephone, whose half-open mouth was distorted by an almost Medusa-like grimace of despair and whose porcelain eyes, shining in the dazzling winter sunlight, were turned directly towards her. She suddenly felt dizzy, as if she was going to faint.
"Are you all right, Miss Lange?" Vincent inquired. "There are many more wonderful objects for you to see. This is just the beginning."
"Yes, of course, please don't worry on my account," she replied in an indifferent tone of voice.
Her brain was still resounding with the sounds of Persephone's porcelain lament.
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