9As soon as Andre had released her hand, Sabine took off her hat, and,handing it to Modeste, remarked,--"How am I looking to-day, Andre?"The young painter hastened to reassure her on this point, and shecontinued in joyous tones,--"No, I do not want compliments; I want to know if I look the rightthing for sitting for my portrait."Sabine was very beautiful, but hers was a different style of beautyfrom that of Rose, whose ripe, sensuous charms were fitted tocaptivate the admiration of the voluptuary, while Sabine was of themost refined and ethereal character. Rose fettered the body withearthly trammels, while Sabine drew the soul heavenward. Her beautywas not of the kind that dazzles, for the air of proud reserve whichshe threw over it, in some slight measure obscured its brilliancy.
She might have passed unnoticed, like the work of a great master'sbrush hanging neglected over the altar of a village church; but whenthe eye had once fathomed that hidden beauty, it never ceased to gazeon it with admiration. She had a broad forehead, covered with a wealthof chestnut hair, soft, lustrous eyes, and an exquisitely chiselledmouth.
"Alas!" said Andre, "when I gaze upon you, I have to confess howimpossible it is to do you justice. Before you came I had fancied thatthe portrait was completed, but now I see that I have only made afailure."As he spoke, he drew aside the curtain, and the young girl's portraitwas revealed. It was by no means a work of extraordinary merit. Theartist was only twenty-four years of age, and had been compelled tointerrupt his studies to toil for his daily bread, but it was full oforiginality and genius. Sabine gazed at it for a few moments insilence, and then murmured the words,--"It is lovely!"But Andre was too discouraged to notice her praise.
"It is like," remarked he, "but a photograph also has that merit. Ihave only got your features, but not your expression; it is an utterfailure. Shall I try again?"Sabine stopped him with a gesture of denial.
"You shall not try again," said she decidedly.
"And why not?" asked he in astonishment.
"Because this visit will be my last, Andre.""The last?" stammered the painter. "In what way have I so offendedyou, that you should inflict so terrible a punishment on me?""I do not wish to punish you. You asked for my portrait, and I yieldedto your request; but let us talk reasonably. Do you not know that I amrisking my reputation by coming here day after day?"Andre made no reply, for this unexpected blow had almost stunned him.
"Besides," continued Mademoiselle de Mussidan, "what is to be donewith the portrait? It must be hidden away, as if it were something wewere ashamed of. Remember, on your success hangs our marriage.""I do not forget that.""Hasten then to gain all honor and distinction, for the world mustagree with me in saying that my choice has been a wise one.""I will do so.""I fully believe you, dear Andre, and remember what I said to you ayear ago. Achieve a name, then go to my father and ask for my hand. Ifhe refuses, if my supplications do not move him, I will quit his roofforever.""You are right," answered Andre. "I should indeed by a fool if Isacrificed a future happy life for a few hours of present enjoyment,and I will implicitly--""And now," said Sabine, "that we have agreed on this point, let usdiscuss our mutual interests, of which it seems that we have been alittle negligent up till now."Andre at once began to tell her of all that had befallen him sincethey had last met, his defeats and successes.
"I am in an awkward plight," said he. "Yesterday, that well knowncollector, Prince Crescenzi, came to my studio. One of my picturestook his fancy, and he ordered another from me, for which he would paysix thousand francs.""That was quite a stroke of luck.""Just so, but unfortunately he wants it directly. Then Jean Lamou, whohas more in his hand than he can manage, has offered me the decorationof a palatial edifice that he is building for a great speculator, M.
Gandelu. I am to engage all the workmen, and shall receive some sevenor eight hundred francs a month.""But how does this trouble you?""I will tell you. I have twice seen M. Gandelu, and he wants me tobegin work at once; but I cannot accept both, and must choose betweenthem."Sabine reflected.
"I should execute the Prince's commission," said she.
"So should I, only----"The girl easily found the cause of his hesitation.
"Will you never forget that I am wealthy?" replied she.
"The one would bring in the most money," he returned, "and the othermost credit.""Then accept the offer of M. Gandelu."The old cuckoo-clock in the corner struck five.
"Before we part, dear Andre," resumed she, "I must tell you of a freshtrouble which threatens us; there is a project for marrying me to M.
de Breulh-Faverlay.""What, that very wealthy gentleman?""Just so.""Well, if I oppose my father's wishes, an explanation must ensue, andthis just now I do not desire. I therefore intend to speak openly toM. de Breulh-Faverlay, who is an honorable, straightforward man; andwhen I tell him the real state of the case, he will withdraw hispretensions.""But," replied Andre, "should he do so, another will come forward.""That is very possible, and in his turn the successor will bedismissed.""Ah!" murmured the unhappy man, "how terrible will be your life,--ascene of daily strife with your father and mother."After a tender farewell, Sabine and Modeste left. Andre had wished tobe permitted to go out and procure a vehicle, but this the young girlnegatived, and took her leave, saying.--"I sha............