John Kendal had only one theory that was not received with respect by the men at Lucien's.

They quoted it as often as other things he said, but always in a spirit of derision, while Kendal's ideas as a rule got themselves discussed seriously, now and then furiously.

This young man had been working in the atelier for three years with marked success almost from the beginning.

The first things he did had a character and an importance that brought Lucien himself to admit a degree of soundness in the young fellow's earlier training, which was equal to great praise.

Since then he had found the line in the most interesting room in the Palais d'Industrie, the _cours_ had twice medalled him, and Albert Wolff was beginning to talk about his _coloration delicieuse_.