Flowers, Swords and France

It was another ordinary summer day, and Fran came to Mr. Durenberg's studio to study as usual.

Today is another sunny day. Most of the sunlight passing through the glass window is blocked by the dark velvet curtains, and a series of tiny golden light pillars are formed in the studio, forming a rather fantastical picture. .

As usual, Fran was sitting in the corner practicing painting. While looking at the light in the studio and the model sculpture next to her, she slowly moved the brush with her right hand to paint. And her good friend, Mademoiselle Marie de Leolan, sat next to her and practiced with her. This is the homework assigned by Teacher Durenberg.

Since painting requires full concentration, they didn't talk much.

It didn't take long for Mary to finish the painting. She turned to look at Fran who was still painting next to her. Due to the need to constantly glance back and forth between the landscape and the canvas, Fran's long hair also dances gently.

Fran quickly caught Mary's gaze.

"Mary, why are you looking at me?" she asked in a low voice.

"Because it looks good." Mary replied matter-of-factly, "I really want to draw a picture with you, but I'm afraid that my skills are too low to be able to draw it..."

"You know how to find nice things to say." Fran scolded her friend, but her slightly red face betrayed her master's true thoughts.

"How could I be talking nonsense? If you don't believe me, ask Charles..."

Without saying a word, Mary had already changed the name of Fran's brother from "Mr. Treville" to "Char".

Fran's face looked happy at first, and then she suddenly became a little gloomy as she didn't know what she thought of.

Mary's heart moved and she lowered her voice.

"What's wrong?"

Fran shook her head slightly. "It's nothing, it's just that an annoying person came two days ago."

It seemed that Fran didn't want to say more, so Mary didn't ask any more questions, but she still had this little doubt in her heart.

Forget it, won’t you know if you go to her house next time?

"Teacher is here!" Suddenly there was a burst of whispers in the studio.

Mary and Fran quickly stopped talking.

Fran quickly painted the last few strokes on the canvas, and finally completed her homework before the teacher came to mark the papers.

The painter Durenberg walked in slowly, and then walked next to his students, reviewing and commenting one by one.

The painter is over sixty years old, and his carefully trimmed hair and beard have already turned completely gray. He is short and chubby, with a satisfied smile that is typical of people who have achieved success. Coupled with his usual friendly attitude towards students, he looks very comfortable.

However, although he is usually very kind and gentle when teaching, Mr. Durenberg is very strict in the typical German way when grading students' papers - it can even be said to be a bit harsh. To be merciful, there were often female students who were brought to tears by his criticism.

So at this time, everyone no longer dared to joke and quietly waited for the teacher's comments.

"This painting is not bad, but the technique is a bit raw. You need more practice, more practice!"

"This painting has some appearance, but it's not good enough. I still need to learn how to operate colors."

"This painting is very good. You have made great progress recently. Keep up the good work."

…

Listening to the teacher's comments on each of her classmates, Fran became more and more nervous just like she did during tests.

Soon, the teacher came to Fran. Then he lowered his head and looked carefully at the painting Fran had just completed.

As time passed, Fran became more and more uneasy.

I don't know how long it took, but the old painter suddenly raised his head and looked at Fran seriously. "Go to the small studio later, I want to have a good talk with you."

Then he walked away and continued to evaluate other students' paintings.

Fran's face turned a little pale, and Mary pulled Fran's clothes, stuck out her tongue, and comforted her.

Generally speaking, if special criticism is needed because a student's work is too poor, considering the girl's face, the teacher will call the student to his small studio, and then give all the unpleasant criticisms to the poor student. listen. Fran had never been treated like this before, but she didn't expect that history would be broken today.

With an uneasy mood, Fran walked into the small studio after the teacher's review was completed.

The small studio is next to the big studio, where the old painter usually rests and paints. There is a door with a large glass window that separates the two studios, so that people outside can see the people talking inside through the glass, but cannot hear what is said. Considering that most of the painter's students are girls from upper-class society, it is understandable that the painter arranged it this way - or in other words, it is precisely because of the caution in various details that the old painter was able to become the upper-class parents who sent their daughters to study. The first choice for painting.

The teacher was already waiting there. He sat in front of a small desk, and then motioned for Fran to sit opposite him.

After Fran sat down, looking at the somewhat uneasy students, the old painter sighed softly. "Miss Treville, don't be too nervous. In fact, considering your age, your painting today is pretty good, at least compared to your classmates."

"But..." Fran just felt relieved when the teacher's words suddenly took another turn, "That's just comparing with others. In fact, I want to criticize you seriously. Your recent paintings are not any better than before. It can even be said that there has been some progress. Why? From those paintings, it can be seen that you have not been concentrating on painting recently. "

Under the teacher's questioning, Fran's face became paler and paler, but she didn't say anything and just lowered her head.

The teacher sighed.

"Miss Treville, you know that I like you the most among these students, but do you know why?"

Fran shook her head slightly.

"Because you are very diligent and dedicated. There are always some outsiders who think that painting and writing only require a heart, and skills and conception are completely unimportant - this is a completely superficial view, and in fact there is not enough technique. How do people express their own hearts in art? Ignoring the continuous practice of technology and basics is the reason why many geniuses have a mediocre life. But you, with both talent and enough concentration, can definitely stand out as long as you keep at it. ..." The teacher said seriously Staring at the girl opposite, "I don't want to, nor do I have the right to ask about your personal affairs. I also understand that a child of your age will always think about many things, but as your teacher, I really want to warn you, at least Don't let other worldly things distract you when you're painting, okay? Don't waste your talent! Didn't you say before that you must become a famous painter? If you continue like this, you will never achieve it. Have you forgotten your ideals, Miss Treville?"

The teacher's general instruction made the students lower their heads.

"I'm sorry, teacher..."

"You won't be sorry for me. Your family gives me enough tuition every year. You will be sorry for yourself!" Looking at the student's expression, the teacher couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted, "You are my favorite student and my favorite student." Excellent student, I don’t want you to waste your talents. I don’t mean to criticize you when I call you here today, but I really want to help you. Do you understand?”

"I understand, teacher." Fran raised her head again and looked at the teacher with a smile. "I will remember what you said. I will be more focused when I practice in the future and will never let you down! Thank you!"

Looking at the blond girl with a bright smile, the old painter couldn't help but smile.

This child is so beautiful! She is beautiful and sensible. I wonder which bastard boy can be lucky enough to take away this child that God loves?

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Okay, it would be best if you can figure it out. The teacher may have said something too harshly today, so don't take it too seriously."

"No, don't worry." The girl's face turned slightly red.

"By the way, I called you here because there is one more thing I want to tell you." The teacher said suddenly.

"What's going on?" Fran was a little confused.

The teacher had a very warm smile on his face.

"Do you remember the art exhibition? What I told you last time..."

"Well, you still remember, what happened?"

"There is a big shot who is a regular customer of mine. I just got the news from her that she is also very interested in this art exhibition and will probably attend the exhibition in person. Therefore, I will try my best to show you the art exhibition when the time comes. She recommended your paintings..."

Fran's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. How could the teacher lie to you?" Looking at the surprised girl, the old painter couldn't help but laugh, "So you should concentrate more these days and try to draw more excellent works. , I will recommend it to that lady, and if she approves of you, then you can make a name for yourself."

"Yes! Okay, I will remember it!" Fran's face was full of smile, "Thank you, teacher!"

"You're welcome, you deserve this." The old painter nodded, "Okay, you can go back first."

=====================================

After leaving the small studio, Fran returned to her original position.

"Fran, it's normal to be in bad condition occasionally, don't take it too seriously!" Thinking that Fran was being scolded by the teacher, Mary quickly comforted her in a low voice.

"Well, I'm fine." Fran gave Mary a bright smile.

"It seems that the teacher's training is not harsh." Mary couldn't help laughing. "That's right, you are his most valued student."

The two laughed at each other again.

After finishing laughing, Fran felt that the atmosphere in the studio was not quite right, and everyone looked strange.

"What happened just now?" she asked quickly.

"What else could happen? We're arguing again..." Mary curled her lips and answered softly. "Emily started arguing with those people again..."

"Oh." Fran understood. The girls from the two major factions in the studio just had another minor conflict. However, it seems that the Aristocrat Party is at a disadvantage again - because one of the leaders of the Aristocrat Party, Matilda, has been in poor health recently and has been unable to come to class for many days in a row. Therefore, among these female students, the Aristocrat Party's momentum has declined. Greatly frustrated, dwarfed by the Bank Party.

Of course, although they are called the "Noble Party" and the "Bank Party", after all, the fathers of these girls all have aristocratic titles. What differentiates their positions is whether their parents belong to an old family with a long history or a new aristocracy that emerged after the revolution.

Most of the bankers who speculated on King Louis-Philippe's rise to power or loyally supported the July Monarchy were granted titles by the benevolent and generous King - but usually low-level titles such as Viscount and Baron.

So in this era, the power and strength between "nobles" can no longer be compared by the length of bloodline or the level of titles. As people often say with a smile. "The Bourbon dynasty is the dynasty of princes and dukes, and the July dynasty is the dynasty of barons and viscounts."

Just when Fran was about to ignore this matter and continue practicing as usual, a call came from the side.

"The teacher just called over, are you okay? Miss Treville?"

;