Andre said nothing, but he somehow felt that this visit would prove the turning-point of his misfortunes.

But for all that the young man's heart was very sad, for it was two days since Sabine had left him, promising to write to him the next morning regarding M.de Breulh-Faverlay, but as yet he had received no communication, and he was on the tenterhooks of expectation, not because he had any doubt of Sabine, but for the reason that he had no means of obtaining any information of what went on in the interior of the Hotel de Mussidan.
M.de Breulh had now finished his survey, and had come to the conclusion that though many of Andre's productions were crude and lacking in finish, yet that he had the true artistic metal in him.

He extended his hand to the young man and said forcibly, "I am no longer influenced by the opinion of a friend.

I have seen and judged for myself, and am more desirous than ever of possessing one of your pictures.

I have made my choice of a subject, and now let us discuss the details." As he spoke he handed a little sketch to Andre.