One would have said that the sight of it gave the crusts an unexpected relish, for he chewed them slowly, and emptied his glass by little sips.

His shrivelled features became smooth, his nostrils expanded; it was indeed, as he said himself, "a feast for the eyes." "You see that I also have my treat," he resumed, nodding his head with an air of triumph.

"Others may run after dinners and balls; as for me, this is the pleasure I give myself for my Carnival." "But if this painting is really so precious," replied I, "it ought to be worth a high price." "Eh! eh!" said M.Antoine, with an air of proud indifference.

"In good times, a good judge might value it at somewhere about twenty thousand francs." I started back.
"And you have bought it ?" cried I.
"For nothing," replied he, lowering his voice.

"These brokers are asses; mine mistook this for a student's copy; he let me have it for fifty louis, ready money! This morning I took them to him, and now he wishes to be off the bargain." "This morning!" repeated I, involuntarily casting my eyes on the letter containing the refusal that M.Antoine had made me write to his son's widow, which was still on the little table.
He took no notice of my exclamation, and went on contemplating the work of Jordaens in an ecstasy.
"What a knowledge of chiaroscuro!" he murmured, biting his last crust in delight.