“I have brought also my painter-in-ordinary. We have watched the review together, and he is as enthusiastic as I over the picturesque effect of this improvised bivouac. See! He is so much occupied with his sketch that I can not get a word out of him.”
It was Aida, whose bridle was held by a dragoon, that served as a model for the artist’s pencil.
“Will you permit me?” he said to Henri.
“It appears decidedly, that my mare has caught your eye,” replied the General, approaching the carriage and resting his spurred foot on its step.
“She has superb lines,” said the painter, without interrupting his drawing.
“Well, I am curious to know whether she could beat Seaman,” said Zibeline. “Are you willing to run a race with me, General?”
“As you please—some morning when you return to the Bois.”
“You noticed my absence, then?”
“I assure you that I did,” Henri replied, earnestly.
Then, fearing that he had said too much, he added: