My friends think well of it." "I don't know anything about such things," said Philippe, in a subdued voice which caused Joseph to turn and look at him.
"What is the matter ?" said the artist, seeing that his brother was very pale.
"I should like to know how long it would take you to paint my portrait ?" "If I worked steadily, and the weather were clear, I could finish it in three or four days." "That's too long; I have only one day to give you.

My poor mother loves me so much that I wished to leave her my likeness.

We will say no more about it." "Why! are you going away again ?" "I am going never to return," replied Philippe with an air of forced gayety.
"Look here, Philippe, what is the matter?
If it is anything serious, I am a man and not a ninny.

I am accustomed to hard struggles, and if discretion is needed, I have it." "Are you sure ?" "On my honor." "You will tell no one, no matter who ?" "No one." "Well, I am going to blow my brains out." "You!--are you going to fight a duel ?" "I am going to kill myself." "Why ?" "I have taken eleven hundred francs from the funds in my hands; I have got to send in my accounts to-morrow morning.

Half my security is lost; our poor mother will be reduced to six hundred francs a year.