"The Prince sings your praises everywhere, and speaks of your talents with the utmost enthusiasm.

I am, on his recommendation, desirous of commissioning you to paint a picture for me, and I can assure you that in my gallery it will have no need to be ashamed of its companions." Andre bowed, coloring deeply at the compliment.
"I am obliged to you," said he, "and I trust that you will not be disappointed in taking the Prince's opinion of my talent." "Why should I be so ?" "Because, for the last four months I have been so busy that I have really nothing to show you." "That is of no importance.

I have every confidence in you." "Then," returned Andre, "all that we have to do is to choose a subject." Andre's manner had by this time so captivated De Breulh that he muttered to himself, "I really ought to hate this fellow, but on my word I like him better than any one I have met for a long time." Andre had by this time placed a large portfolio on the table.

"Here," said he, "are some twenty or thirty sketches; if any of them took your fancy, you could make your choice." "Let me see them," returned De Breulh politely, for having made an estimate of the young man's character, he now wished to see what his artistic talents were like.

With this object in view he examined all the sketches in the portfolio minutely, and then turned to those on the walls.