At last she came
back. "It must be charming to be able to order pictures at such a rate.
Venetian portraits, as large as life! You go at it en prince. And you
are going to travel about Europe that way?"
"Yes, I intend to travel," said Newman.
"Ordering, buying, spending money?"
"Of course I shall spend some money."
"You are very happy to have it. And you are perfectly free?"
"How do you mean, free?"
"You have nothing to bother you--no family, no wife, no fiancee?"
"Yes, I am tolerably free."
"You are very happy," said Mademoiselle Noemie, gravely.
"Je le veux bien!" said Newman, proving that he had learned more French
than he admitted.
"And how long shall you stay in Paris?" the young girl went on.
"Only a few days more."
"Why do you go away?"
"It is getting hot, and I must go to Switzerland."
"To Switzerland? That's a fine country. I would give my new parasol
to see it! Lakes and mountains, romantic valleys and icy peaks! Oh,
I congratulate you. Meanwhile, I shall sit here through all the hot
summer, daubing at your pictures."
"Oh, take your time about it," said Newman. "Do them at your
convenience."
They walked farther and looked at a dozen other things. Newman pointed
out what pleased him, and Mademoiselle Noemie generally criticised it,
and proposed something else.
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