Volume II Part 46 (1/2)
”Ah, really, every one does as he pleases,” said Gontram ”Do you know I came here to-day to ask a favor of you?”
”You couldn't doI possess is at your disposal”
”I thought so; the next ti
”I hope you will askbesides wretched ht for you, or do some other important service for you”
”And suppose I was to keep you at your word?” asked Gontram, seriously; ”suppose I came here only to demand a sacrifice of you?”
”Oh, speak!” cried the vicoet on top of a stage?” asked Gontram, earnestly ”No, do not look so curiously atbefore, and knehat I was talking about when I said I would ask a sacrifice of you”
”I--would--do it--to please you,” replied Spero, hesitatingly
”I thought so,” cried the painter, laughing; ”yet Iyourself to death here”
”But--”
”No, do not protest You are not happy because you are the slave of propriety, and if you were to get in a stage with o out, a carriage is at the door, the horses already harnessed You have your own box at the theatre, and so on Nowhere do you coreat world; your life is no life”
Spero gazed at the painter in astonisho?” he slowly asked
”Because a great deal depends on time and opportunity If I had told you this at the coht ive you a lecture The words came unconsciously to my lips Your life is that of a drop of oil which when put in a bottle of water feels itself in a strange element and decidedly unco to hear what service I can do for you?” he asked with a calmness which reflected honor on his powers of self-control
”Bravo, you have already learned solass, otherwise I shall drink all your fine sherry alone”
The habit of drinking moderately Spero had also learned from his father
Upon the relass and impatiently said:
”Well?”
”I would like to h, but hear what I have to say
I intend to give a little party in my studio--”
”In your studio?” said Spero in surprise
”Yes, it is certainly not as large as the Place Vendoshead, and a dozen good friends will find plenty of rooavein Rome, an aristocratic Italian, Count Vellini, took an interest in reat deal to him The day before yesterday he arrived in Paris, and I should like to revenge myself for his kindness As he is a millionnaire--not a millionnaire like you, for he has, at the utmost, five or six millions--I must offer him certain pleasures which cannot be obtained with allery and exhibit the best works of my numerous friends andin the hted with my idea I want to furnish my house properly, and for this I need some costly tapestries You have real treasures of this description Would you loan me a few pieces?”