Let us wait." "Well," broke in M.de Breulh, "what do you say to ten thousand francs ?" "Too much," returned Andre with a deprecatory wave of his hand; "far too much.

If I succeed in it, as I hope to do, I will ask six thousand francs for it." "Agreed!" answered De Breulh, taking from his pocket an elegant note-case with his crest and monogram upon it and extracting from it three thousand francs.

"I will, as is usual, deposit half the price in advance." Andre blushed scarlet.

"You are joking," said he.
"Not at all," answered De Breulh quietly; "I have my own way of doing business, from which I never deviate." In spite of this answer Andre's pride was hurt.
"But," remarked he, "this picture will not be ready for perhaps six or seven months.

I have entered into a contract with a wealthy builder, named Candele, to execute the outside decorations of his house." "Never mind that," answered M.de Breulh; "take as long as you like." Of course, after this, Andre could offer no further opposition; he therefore took the money without another word.
"And now," said De Breulh, as he paused for a moment at the open doorway, "let me wish you my good luck, and if you will come and breakfast with me one day, I think I can show you some pictures which you will really appreciate." And handing his card to the artist, he went downstairs.
At first Andre did not glance at the card, but when he did so, the letters seemed to sear his eyeballs like a red-hot iron.