The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-04-05 00:00:00

my doer Against the young man. Have you heard
that he leads a disorderly life ? "
" No ; but I know models come there."
"Of course; as a painter he cannot do without
them," said M. Paulet.
"Just now, for instance, he is finishing a pict-re
representing a young girl," continued Marguerite.
"Looking after goats. He has chosen a queer
subject. Why not a caretaker of geese while he
was about it? These artists have such strange
notions! But how does that affect you ?" asked her
father.

"The Italian girl who poses for this figure is
wonderfully beautiful. M. Freneuse has mentioned
her to me with admiration—with enthusiasm !"

"Well, have you any reason to believe him in
love with this girl?"
"I do not say that, but I am curious to see her."
"Excuse me; are you thinking of making her
acquaintance? These damsels who come to Paris to
pose as models in studios are not persons to be
recommended. I believe that M. Freneuse, if he
undertakes your portrait, will arrange that you
shall not meet his goatherd at his house."
"I think so too, father; but that will prove
nothing—quite the reverse."
"Oh, you are jealous! I did not know you had
that defect."
"That is because until now I had no occasion to
show it. All men have been indifferent to me.'

"And now you are changed. There is one who
occupies your thoughts. But assuredly it is t o early
to be jealous; wait, at least, until you are married."
. .

"The one thing will not stop the other," replied
Mlle raulet, smiling. " What do you expect? It
is my nature, and I cannot alter myself. I know It
is not usual for a young girl to disquiet herself
about the life her betrothed leads before marriage."
"But I desire to learn something about it, and I
maintain my right to do so."
"Certainly, on principle ; but I am curious to
know how you will manage to gain your end. One
would need to be a little bird to watch a man with-
out his seeing you ; and e‘ en birds do not come into
painters' studios. If I took you to M. Freneuse's
studio, what do you expect to learn there about his
morals and habito P"

"Not much, perhaps; but I have quick sight, and
shall see many things which you would not per-
ceive. For instance, if I happened to meet tho
Italian girl there, I should learn directly if he
thought more of her than of an ordinary modcl."
"1 can answer for it these red-petticoated ad.vcn-
turers do not fascinate fellows of good taste, and
artists think less of them than simple tradesfolk.
They see too much of them."

"It has happenerl, nevertheless. Did you not
say that my uncle "
"Your uncle never lehaved like other men."
"I w :nt to assure myself that M. Freneuse will
not do the same. And I must first know if the
goatherd from the Abrurri is as handsome as he
describes her."

" Good ; but he will tale good care that she is
not with him when we are expected and he will be
quite right."
"That is just why I should like to surprise him.
He knows you have recently lost your brother; he
ber eves you are fully occupied about the succession
affairs, and therefore will be unprepared for our
visit. It is a splendid day—excellent for painting.
He would hardly lose such an opportunity for ga-
ting on with his picture, for he is somewhat behind-
hand, and the Salon will open on the Ist of May. I
am sure his model is there. It is just the time when
she sits. So, if you only will, we can take a little
walk, and just by chance find ourselves at the Place
Pigalle.
" And we are to go upstairs and knock at the
studio door? Well, that is rather a risky step," re-
plied M. Paulet. "Firstly, he may not open it, an I
as we have not announced our intention to visit him,
would be justified. I have heard, too, that artists
never admit visitors when they are painting from a
model for fear of deranging the position."
"Ah, but when we are at the door I will speak
loudly to you. He will recognise my voice, and
must deign to put down his brushes to receive us.
If he suffers us to remain outside, I shall not forgive
him. You consent, my dear father, do you not?
You see I am quite ready to go out. I have only
my hat and mantle to put on. And you—you have
not set foot in the street for three days. The fresh
air will do you good."
" Tut ! tut !" said M. Paulet. "What about the
notary from the country, whom I am expecting
every minute `r"
" Tho notary ?" repeated Marguerite, disdain-
fully.
"Yes," said M. Paulet. "He is going to bring a
copy of my ilrother's will, and you may conceive my
impatience to see it. The telegrams he sent me are
too laconic. He has used as few words as possible;
these provincials are so stupid !"
"I should think that if he were due in Paris
to-day he would have been here before this. The
trains only arrive morning and evening, and this
notary not having come by the morning train, can-
not be here before night."
"Expresses. Yes; but I suspect he will travel
by a stopping train, for economy. They don't
understand the British maxim, 'Time is money.'
How do you say that in English?"
"Tinto ia money, father. And to put the maxim
in practice, I am going to nitiah n 23 toilette."
"If this gentleman should arrive after you have
gone out, the valet can come to fetch you. You
have only to instruct him to do so; and give him M.
Freneuse's address."

_
"That is a good idea. I really think I may ven-
ture out for an hour."

"Or -even for two," said Mlle. Paulet, in a low
voice.

- -
"But what pretext have we," replied the father,
"for dropping in on M. Freneuse in this unexpected
manner ?"

"In the first place we have no need of a pretext—
he has invited us several times to go and see his
picture ! "
"True, but if we invite persons, we prefer to
know beforehand when they are coming, in order to
receive them properly. Freneuse will hardly like to i
show his studio n disorder."

'But my object is to surprise him!"
"Then we must explain why we come so suddenly,
and as you cannot give the true reason "
"You will tell him you come about my portrait.
He offered to begin whenever I wished."
" H'm—it is serious—very serious," said M.
Paulet, shaking his head.
"And why is it serious ?"
"You do not reflect that if I accept his offer it is
almost as though I promised to give him your hand."
"Why, it is his profession to paint portraits. He
has already painted many. I saw one of his last
year at the Salon—of a woman too—and it was a
chef d'auvre."
"It is probable he was paid for it, and dearly.
Post thou believe he will consent to be paid for
thine F"

"No, I should think not."
"Then it is like you receiving from him a present
of ten thousand francs. He sells his portraits at that
price, I know. A young girl cannot decently accept
presents except from her intended husband.'
"Very well, then, if I do not marry M. Freneuse,
you shall purchase my portrait from him, and so you
will be under no obligation."

"He would refu-se to sell it; you have just
said so yourself, and your face will remain hung
up in his studio; that would be very pretty !"
"He would not so offend me, I am certain.
Also, I hope to discover nothing in his rooms to
hinder---"

"A. plan you are cherishing—confess now! I
trust as you do. Nevertheless, one can never say
what may happen, and one must be prepared for
contingencies.
"I am prepared for everything, but I hold to my
object and will run the risk," answered the young
lady.
"Remember," said her father, "it is not a well-
chosen time to ask M. Freneuse for a sitting. If he
undertakes your portrait he will not be able to fin,sh
his picture for the Exhibition."
"That is just what I desire."
"Because he will then le compelled to dismiss the
Italian girl who serves as model? Really, my dear
Marguerite, I could not have believed such a thing
of you."
"Because I feel much altered," said Marguerite,
resolutely.
" Ah, I see you are smitten by that young fellow.
Well, if I oppose you, you will make yourself ill.
Go and put on your hat while I give Francois his
orders."

Marguerite did not requ.... to be told twice. She
knew well she would gain her end, and her maid was
waiting to put the last touch o her toilette. Her
father was accustomed to give ay to her wishes;
and he felt in an unusually good humour since M.
Blanchelaine had announced the death of Bianca
Astrodi.
He expressly ordered that should the notary
arri% e he was to be made to wait, whilst a messen-
ger should be sent at once to announce his advent.
Ten minutes later M. Paulet and his daughter
were walking arm in arm towards the Place Pigalle.
(To be continued.)