Day by day, admirers recognize the true spirit of the masterpiece.
Throngs surround the painter, who strains his artistic heart.
A voice startles him, as the last touches are being laid on:
"Young man, will you sell this here picture?"
"That depends," rejoins Armand. His use of the vernacular charms the stranger.
"Have you set a price?" cries the visitor, in rough Western English.
"I have not as yet," the copyist answers.
He surveys the speaker, a man of fifty years, whose dress and manner speak of prosperity in efflorescent form.
The diamond pin, huge watch-chain, rich jewelled buttons, and gold-headed cane, prove him an American Croesus.
"Well, when it's done, you bring it to my hotel. Everyone knows me. I will give you what you want for it. It's way up; better than the original," says the Argonaut, with a leer at its loveliness.