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.  It was a view of everyday life, which the painter had entitled, “Outside the Barrier.”  Two men with torn garments and wine-flushed faces were struggling in tipsy combat, while on the right hand side of the picture lay a woman, bleeding profusely from a cut on the forehead, and two of her terrified companions were bending over her, endeavoring to restore her to consciousness.  In the background were some flying figures, who were hastening up to separate the combatants.  The sketch was one of real life, denuded of any sham element of romance, and this was the one that M. de Breulh had chosen.  The two men discussed the size of the picture, and not a single detail was omitted.

“I am sure that you will do all that is right,” remarked De Breulh.  “Let your own inspiration guide you, and all will be well.”  In reality he was dying to get away, for he felt in what a false position he was, and with a violent effort he approached the money part of the matter.

“Monsieur,” said Andre, “it is impossible to fix a price; when completed, a picture may only be worth the canvas that it is painted on, or else beyond all price.  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.”