“Yes, mademoiselle; I consider this region very interesting.”
“Are you a painter, monsieur?”
“No, mademoiselle; I paint a little, however, but simply as an amateur.”
“Ah! you paint? in what line?”
“Miniatures.”
“Do you paint portraits?”
“I have tried it occasionally.”
“Oh! it would be awfully good of you to paint mine. We have a great deal of time to ourselves here. I will give you sittings as often as you choose. I have been painted many times, but I have never thought the likeness good. Will you do it, Monsieur Dalbreuse?”
How can you refuse a lovely woman when she addresses a request to you, with her charming eyes fixed upon yours? Indeed, I had no reason for refusing what she asked.
“I will paint your portrait, mademoiselle, but I do not flatter myself that I shall be more fortunate than those who have done it before.”