"Ah, no; nothing but landscapes."
"Then you did not come as a model to-day?" Elsa asked.
"I come always as a model. If the artist does not treat me as such it is not my fault."
She noticed that Elsa looked offended, and went on hurriedly, apologetically:
"Please, if I offend you I will be quiet. But you seem to be so nice. If I were you and you were the model I should not be angry with you."
Elsa was touched by the pathos in Mimi's eyes.
"Pardon me; I am very, very sorry if I have hurt you," she cried impulsively. "Let us be friends."
"Yes, let's," Mimi cried. "You can talk to me about everything. I am not a bad sort, but I have known him for a long while. I was crying when I went away yesterday and he felt sorry for me. He came to the house on his way to the ball last night in his evening clothes, but I would not see him. It must be finished."
"Was he fond of you?"
"I liked him very much," Mimi replied simply.