"
"Indeed, so soon? How I envy you. I am sorry you are going, though.
Good-bye for the present, I must go back to Lady D----. Remember, five
o'clock to-morrow."
"Au revoir, mademoiselle. I shall see you to-morrow."
Mademoiselle Laurentia had not left him many moments before the president
crossed the room to where he was standing, and said in a cordial tone:
"My dear Lacroix, I am happy to tell you that the prince has bought your
picture."
"'The Pilgrimage,' do you mean?"
"Yes, yes; you don't seem very delighted about it."
"Well," said Lacroix, "the fact is that I shall miss it. It has been part
of my life for the last four years. Oh! yes, I shall miss it."
"But, my dear Lacroix, do be practical. Just think of the price you will
get. Think, too, of the _eclat_. What a queer unworldly sort of creature
you are. Any other man would be fairly beside himself with joy at such
success as yours."
"Yes," replied Lacroix, wearily; "of course I know it is a great thing
for me. I appreciate it, indeed I do."
"You do not show your appreciation very enthusiastically," said the
president, as he moved off to speak to some other guests who were just
coming into the gallery.
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