She had always shown great taste for drawing, and her father used to give her lessons in pastel.

Now she went to the Louvre to work, and tried to copy the Chardins and Latours.

She went there alone.
It was a little imprudent, she was so pretty; but Louise had no time to go with her, and her mother had to be at home to attend to the housework and cooking.

Maria's appearance had already excited the hearts of several young daubers.

There were several cases of persistent sadness and loss of appetite in Flandrin's studio; and two of Signol's pupils, who were surprised hovering about the young artist, were hated secretly as rivals; certain projects of duels, after the American fashion, were profoundly considered.