United States or British Virgin Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The boy who carried the summons sat confidently on the kerb outside the restaurant at which Rufin was used to lunch, and rose to his feet as the tall, cloaked figure turned the corner of the street and approached along the sunlit pavement. "Monsieur Musard said you would be here at one o'clock," he explained, presenting the note.
The little official whose workshop it was held open the door for them, followed them in, and closed it again. "Do not be alarmed, my child," he said to the tragic girl. "This gentleman is a great artist. You will be honored in serving him." Rufin stilled him with an upraised hand and fetched a chair for the girl. She rested an arm on the back of it, but did not sit down.
In honesty and humbleness of heart, as he worked, he acknowledged a debt to the unknown Italian who stole the key of the room to sell, and called his concierge a she-camel. It was a debt he knew he could pay. He, Rufin, whose work was in the Luxembourg, in galleries in America, in Russia, in the palaces of kings, could assure the painter of Montmartre of fame.
"Ah, doubtless," agreed the little man. "But say, then! It has been an experience, hein? Piquant, picturesque, moving, too. For I am not like you; I do not see these dramas every day." "And you fancy I do?" cried Rufin. "Man, I am terrified to find what goes on in the world. And I thought I knew life!" With a gesture of hopelessness and impotence he turned on his heel and went forth.
Rufin, the painter whose fame was secure, upon whom Art had showered gifts, gazed at it, absorbed and reverent. He realized that in this picture his age had achieved a masterpiece; he was at least the contemporary of an immortal. "Ah!" he said, with an impulse of high indignation. "And while he paints here and sleeps on the floor, they buy my pictures!" He stepped back from the easel.
Prussia is a country of which much could be made with labour and capital, but I do not think it will ever become a really fine country. I put up at the "Hotel de Paris," which was both comfortable and economical. Madame Rufin who kept it had entered into the spirit of her business without losing her French politeness, and thus the inn had got a reputation.
But, sans blague, my friend, I cannot do what you wish." Rufin put the piled newspapers from him and leaned forward to plead. It was useless. The old man opposite him had a manner as deft and unassuming as his own; it masked a cynical inflexibility of purpose proof against any appeal. "I cannot do it," was his single answer. Rufin sighed. "Then it remains to see the President," he suggested.
"Ah," she cried, "do you not need me at all even now?" "Oh, what is it?" said the condemned man, with a quick irritation. "Is this a time! There is not a moment to spare. I must speak to Rufin I must. Yes, kneel down; that's right!" She had sunk at his knee and laid her brown head upon it. As though to acknowledge the caress of a dog, he let one hand fall on her bowed shoulders.
He surveyed the invalid, who was softening. Musard knew no more of pictures than a frame-maker; but that was a fact one did not mention in his presence. "Since Corot," sighed Musard, "I have seen few pictures which were en effet pictures." "You have great memories," agreed Rufin hastily. "But I have just seen a picture ah, but a picture, my friend!"
Prussia is a country of which much could be made with labour and capital, but I do not think it will ever become a really fine country. I put up at the "Hotel de Paris," which was both comfortable and economical. Madame Rufin who kept it had entered into the spirit of her business without losing her French politeness, and thus the inn had got a reputation.
Word Of The Day