I saw her eyes fixed upon me for a moment with a look of attention not previously granted to me. She seemed pleased.
"With all my heart," she said.
There was a moment's silence.
"Was this Rafaella, whose story you have told me, worthy of your friend's long regret?"
"I must believe so."
"It is a very touching story. Are you fond of Monsieur Lampron?"
"Beyond expression, Mademoiselle; he is so openhearted, so true a friend, he has the soul of the artist and the seer. I am sure you would rate him very highly if you knew him."
"But I do know him, at least by his works. Where am I to be seen now, by the way? What has become of my portrait?"
"It's at Lampron's house, in his mother's room, where Monsieur Charnot can go and see it if he likes."
"My father does not know of its existence," she said, with a glance at the slumbering man of learning.