The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 63 (2/2)

I intend to kill two birds with one stone, and invite my friends to send their pictures on exhibition I need your assistance, and I need some tapestries”

Esperance listened attentively, and did not notice that Goutran had filled his glass with sherry again

”I want nificent on this occasion, and as we artists are not rich enough to buy oriental hangings, we are all going to our friends to borrow of them You have treasures of this nature--will you lend thereat service was simply that you should lend s of yours”

”I regret extre that you will grant ive up the arrangement of the studio to me? I will send , and they will do it all”

”No, no! Do you think I would allow common upholsterers to touch your treasures! I wish tohammer in my hand, and put them up myself”

And, as Esperance looked at him with troubled surprise, Goutran continued:

”My dear friend, open your boxes for me, let me select what I want We till study the effects, and then I will carry off a bundle in ratitude By the way, I shall expect you at my _soiree_!”

”Oh! you know that I alork in the evening”

”What has that to do with it? You need not work unless you choose

Come--there will be ladies there!”

CHAPTER XLVII

JANE ZELD

A thoroughly artistic atmosphere was that of Sabrau's studio There was not a picture nor a picture frame, a bronze nor a bit of china that did not attract attention Uniformity had been carefully avoided--all tints, all fored the place with his own hands for the fete, which, as Goutran said, had a double aim He wished not only to return the princely hospitality he had received, but to make of the affair a private exhibition of the works of his young friends; he hireat actress, assisted by Ees, consented to do the honors Every artistic celebrity accepted his invitations Even the critics ca the earliest arrivals He was a fine-looking oldartists, and as he was very wealthy, his compliments on their work excited many hopes He was not alone He was acco painters were not favorably impressed His eyes were deep-set under bushy eyebrows, his hair and beard were black as jet

”A bad looking fellow!” e of this individual was uncertain--he ht have been fifty A deep scar ran across one cheek His expression was crafty, his eyes shi+fting, and he kept in the background

There was a little stir when Monsieur and Made the official journal of the e of the Banque de Credit Iy was the director of this new bank

Goutran advanced to erness that would have marred the interest which we feel in hi daughter of the banker, Cary

Goutran had painted Carmen's portrait, which had excited much commendation at the Salon, to which fact was probably due the presence of the banker and his daughter at this _soiree_

Carht up somewhat in the American style, but as she was very beautiful and had cos were overlooked in her which in other girls would not have been tolerated

The banker was an old lish stiffness; a muscular contraction affected his upper lip He stood well at Court He had, it was said, e loans at the time of the _coup d'etat_ in '51, and Bonaparte's accomplices called him their friend

”I am deeply indebted to you, Mademoiselle,” said Goutran, ”for your acceptance of an invitation which I was almost afraid to send”

Carmen was very pretty, as we have said Her dress was cut very low, and revealed too much of an adirl, it was