"I could give proof of my skill by making a bust of the Baroness,"
added Wenceslas.
The artist, struck by Madame Hulot's beauty, was comparing the mother
and daughter.
"Indeed, monsieur, life may smile upon you," said the Baron, quite
charmed by Count Steinbock's refined and elegant manner. "You will
find out that in Paris no man is clever for nothing, and that
persevering toil always finds its reward here."
Hortense, with a blush, held out to the young man a pretty Algerine
purse containing sixty gold pieces. The artist, with something still
of a gentleman's pride, responded with a mounting color easy enough to
interpret.
"This, perhaps, is the first money your works have brought you?" said
Adeline.
"Yes, madame--my works of art. It is not the first-fruits of my labor,
for I have been a workman."
"Well, we must hope my daughter's money will bring you good luck,"
said she.
"And take it without scruple," added the Baron, seeing that Wenceslas
held the purse in his hand instead of pocketing it. "The sum will be
repaid by some rich man, a prince perhaps, who will offer it with
interest to possess so fine a work."
"Oh, I want it too much myself, papa, to give it up to anybody in the
world, even a royal prince!"
"I can make a far prettier thing than that for you, mademoiselle.
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