"Nonsense. This is the Governor's house. I am perfectly safe here.
Give your orders a change of scene. You would better enjoy the
refreshing coolness of the corridors this morning. You won't? Oh, yes,
you will. Here's a cigarette--there, take the whole bunch--I paid too
much for them, but no matter. Ah, pardon me, mademoiselle. I forgot
that you cannot smoke here, Roupet; but you shall have them all the same,
there! Parbleu! you are a handsome rascal, if you weren't so wheezy!
Come, come, Roupet, make yourself invisible."

The eyes of the girl were on the soldier. They did the work better; a
warrior has a soft place in his heart for a beautiful woman. He wheeled
suddenly, and disappeared from the room, motioning that he would remain
at the door.

The painting began, and for half an hour or more was continued without a
word. In the silence the placid Angers had fallen asleep.

Nodding slightly towards her, Rive Laflamme said in a low voice to Marie:
"Her hearing at its best is not remarkable?"

"Not remarkable."

He spoke more softly. "That is good. Well, the portrait is done. It
has been the triumph of my life to paint it. Not that first joy I had
when I won the great prize in Paris equals it. I am glad: and yet--and
yet there was much chance that it would never be finished."

"Why?"

"Carbourd is gone."