"The rustic approached and looked at my work with her stupid eyes which
distinguished nothing and could not even tell whether the picture
represented an ox or a house.

"Miss Harriet just then came home, and she passed behind me just as I was
holding out my canvas at arm's length, exhibiting it to our landlady. The
demoniac could not help but see it, for I took care to exhibit the thing
in such a way that it could not escape her notice. She stopped abruptly
and stood motionless, astonished. It was her rock which was depicted, the
one which she climbed to dream away her time undisturbed.

"She uttered a British 'Aoh,' which was at once so accentuated and so
flattering that I turned round to her, smiling, and said:

"'This is my latest study, mademoiselle.'

"She murmured rapturously, comically and tenderly:

"'Oh! monsieur, you understand nature as a living thing.'

"I colored and was more touched by that compliment than if it had come
from a queen. I was captured, conquered, vanquished. I could have
embraced her, upon my honor.

"I took my seat at table beside her as usual. For the first time she
spoke, thinking aloud:

"'Oh! I do love nature.'