"
"Flatterer that you are!" said she, laughing. "I could almost wish
that portrait would walk out of its frame to thank you for the care
you bestowed upon its foolish little original."
"My care was more than rewarded! I find in that picture my beau-
ideal of the beauty of life, which, belonging to the soul, is true
to all ages."
"The girl of twelve would have thanked you more enthusiastically for
that remark, Pierre, than I dare do," replied she.
"The thanks are due from me, not from you, Amelie! I became your
debtor for a life-long obligation when without genius I could do
impossibilities. You taught me that paradox when you let me paint
that picture."
Amelie glanced quickly up at him. A slight color came and went on
her cheek. "Would that I could do impossibilities," said she, "to
thank you sufficiently for your kindness to Le Gardeur and all of us
in coming to Tilly at this time.
"It would be a novelty, almost a relief, to put Pierre Philibert
under some obligation to us for we all owe him, would it not, Le
Gardeur?" continued she, clasping the arm of her brother, who just
now came into the room.
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