Flowers, Swords and France

As time went by, the night got deeper and deeper, and the party in the art gallery slowly entered the later stage. △♦The top novel,

However, perhaps because everyone had completely relaxed, the atmosphere became even more lively. Underneath the real or fake smiles of this group of dressed-up women, Fran's party was full of laughter and seemed to be a happy one.

"Ah, it's getting late..." After chatting for a while, Fran suddenly let out a long sigh, and then looked at everyone pretending to be mysterious, "Aren't you a little tired?"

Before anyone could answer, she continued, "Can I give you something to cheer you up?"

This suspicious attitude made others quite puzzled, and then they looked at each other and her with some confusion.

If it were in the 21st century, these words would probably cause great misunderstanding...

"I have prepared some fruit wine for everyone. Do you want to try it?" Fran laughed mysteriously, then lowered her voice, "This is a rare opportunity, why don't you just relax completely?"

"Huh?" Her words caused a small commotion.

These ladies are no longer young and ignorant. If they get together to drink secretly, it may not look good if word spreads.

"Okay! You should have said it earlier if there was such a fun thing!" Amidst everyone's whispers, Mary immediately agreed - maybe she would agree no matter what Fran said now. "I feel a little bored after chatting all the time... I'm tired of having to keep a straight face. It's just us here anyway. No one is asking for trouble?"

After Mary said this, everyone looked at each other again. There seems to be some movement.

Yes, in this situation everyone will keep secrets. On the contrary, I felt a faint sense of pleasure in breaking through the restrictions.

"It's just fruit wine, it's not intoxicating easily, and people won't notice it when you go home..." Fran still said with a smile, "But it's just fun, if anyone doesn't want to drink it, I won't force it. La..."

"Then what are you waiting for? Miss Treville?" Laura suddenly spoke, "Bring the wine quickly? I want to try it. I wonder if it is as good as the one at home."

"I want to try it too!"

"Give me some too?"

After Laura spoke. Her friends were all moved and asked them to try some wine too.

Matilda remained silent, as if she was thinking about something. Looking at her cold look, Laura couldn't help but sneer. "What's the matter? Miss Dillion? Don't you want to get involved in our vulgar activities?"

"It's not a good time to drink at this time...Besides, I'm not very good at drinking." Matilda frowned slightly. "Besides, I'm going back soon..."

"That's right. It's difficult for you to come here. How dare you condescend to play with us?" Laura's tone was still full of ridicule. "Okay, no one is forcing you, so you don't have to treat everyone as the same thing."

Seeing the other party being so harsh and rude, Matilda couldn't help but feel a little angry. So he laughed in the same way.

"First, I came here just to congratulate Fran, and I never wanted to play with you; second... you are right. I really don't take you seriously. If you have any objections, Just mention it.”

"You have always been so noble. Who dares to have an opinion with you?" Laura replied with a sneer. "You have such a noble bloodline, but you have to stay with us. Is it difficult? I feel sorry for you."

"Our family is indeed different from a family with only money and no education." Matilda immediately retorted.

These words froze the atmosphere instantly.

"Why, didn't we make enough noise back then?" Laura looked at Matilda coldly.

"Now, I don't think there's any point in arguing with you." Although Laura's gaze was sharp, Matilda didn't mean to back down at all, "However, if you want to quarrel now, I would be happy to accompany you. ”

Seeing Matilda say this, her friends all expressed support with their eyes.

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two groups became tense again, and the few neutrals were also a little at a loss. They quickly looked at the master, hoping that she would come to the rescue quickly.

"Okay, okay, everyone, don't quarrel. It's just for fun. It doesn't matter whether you drink or not. Don't quarrel?" Seeing Laura and Matilda quarreling again, Fran quickly broke up the fight. "Okay, okay, it's already getting late, let's hurry up and have a drink?!"

Then, without waiting for anyone else to say anything, she chuckled and ordered the maid to bring her the fruit wine and cups that had been stored in the next room.

The servant quickly poured the wine into cups. The golden wine exudes a blurry color under the candlelight.

Ephraim and Laura took the lead, and every girl who asked for a drink picked up a cup and drank from it.

And Matilda suddenly picked up a cup and drank too.

"Matilda, didn't you say you didn't want to drink?" Fran was a little surprised.

"It's rare that you are so happy today. It doesn't matter if I drink a little." Matilda smiled and then picked up the cup, "As long as you are happy."

"Thank you, Matilda!" Fran smiled happily.

Seeing that Matilda had also decided to drink, the last few people who were still hesitating also picked up their wine glasses driven by the herd mentality. Even people who usually never drink alcohol were embarrassed to be in this atmosphere. Departure.

"Then..." Mary picked up the wine glass at the right time, "Let's wish the beautiful Miss Treville a happy birthday together, cheers!"

"Cheers!" everyone shouted together, and then clinked their glasses.

"Well, it's really a good wine." After drinking a glass of sweet and sour fruit wine in one gulp, Laura tasted it carefully. “I think it tastes much better than the ones we have at home.”

"It's not easy to get such praise from you!" Fran replied with a smile, "It's not in vain that I have been preparing for so long. However, it's best not to drink too much. Although it is fruit wine, if you drink too much, I'm afraid You will still get drunk..."

"It doesn't matter. The opportunity is rare anyway, so why not even if you are drunk?" Laura replied nonchalantly. "I'm so happy today, I just want to drink more."

"Okay, okay, who can stop you..." Fran sighed, then picked up a bottle of wine and continued to pour her wine, while Laura drank it all in one gulp.

"You are really amazing."

Seeing Laura being so unscrupulous, the other girls seemed to be inspired and continued to drink.

In this way, everyone drank one cup after another. The sweet smell of alcohol filled the entire studio. Most people's faces showed a slight blush.

Under the influence of alcohol, the girls, who were already unrestrained, became even more unrestrained in their drunken state. They became more and more unrestrained in their speech and laughter, and the topics became more and more bizarre. From the initial social news, they suddenly talked about all kinds of strange stories. , and then talked about some foreign celebrities’ deeds, and finally. I don't know why, but the topic of marriage came up while talking.

They are not very old, but some of their classmates are already married, and some have even given birth to children. Although Fran invited today all people who are not married yet. But now everyone has begun to pay attention to this issue.

After getting into this topic, everyone started talking about whose fiancé and the person they were interested in. Finally, they unknowingly commented on some outstanding unmarried young people in the social world. Some of the comments were so harsh and sarcastic that I would be furious if I heard them.

"By the way. Fran, I wonder how you have considered it here?" After talking for a while. A friend took advantage of the wine and looked at Fran with a smile on his face, looking curious and a little envious, "Your grandfather and brother have become so prosperous now, should they find you a good husband?"

"Ah? Me?" Fran was a little surprised, then smiled bitterly, "I haven't considered such a thing."

"You should have reached this age by now, how could you not consider it?" The friend laughed teasingly, "Could it be that you have already chosen a partner...?"

"What's the point? I'm just being modest, don't you take it seriously?" Another friend also replied with a smile, "Now that the Marquis of Treville and her brother are so popular, I can be humble among the best candidates. Take your time, of course there’s no rush! Maybe her elders have already chosen it for her!”

This sentence made everyone laugh again, and then everyone drank another drink.

No one noticed that Fran's face suddenly turned dark.

She bit her lip tightly, trying not to show anger. This kind of unintentional joke caused such deep pain to myself.

"There's nothing to talk about this kind of thing." After a moment, she finally suppressed the anger in her heart and smiled again, "Let nature take its course, I can't control anything..."

Except for one person, no one could hear the underlying meaning of these words.

"Everyone, have another drink!" Laura raised the glass again, "Let's drink another drink to Miss Treville's future happiness!"

"cheers!"

Among the people who responded one after another, Matilda was not included.

Instead, she was awakened by Laura's shout.

Is it already this time?

Matilda drank some wine, so her head was a little dizzy.

It's time to leave, she thought.

"Flan, I'm sorry, I think I have to go back..." Matilda's voice was a little shaky because of the alcohol, "I'm so glad that I can get together with you tonight to congratulate you."

"Oh, it's okay..." Fran shook her head, obviously not minding her departure. "It's already so late, it's time to go home."

Then she turned to look at the others.

"It's a pity, but it's already this time. Let's play for a while and then disband?"

Her words did not arouse any objections. Everyone had indeed had enough fun.

In this way, the party came to an end. While everyone was waiting for the alcohol to slowly dissipate, they chatted with each other for the last time. The atmosphere changed from the lively or even manic atmosphere to a calm state again.

topic at this time. Returned to the study and life of that year.

Then someone else expressed envy of Fran's painting skills at that time, praising her talent as unparalleled.

"There is no trick to painting. You just need to practice more. Talent is one thing, but it is useless if you don't practice..." Fran smiled embarrassedly. "You see, I haven't practiced much recently, so I have regressed a lot. I plan to start practicing again recently to avoid wasting the lessons I learned from my teacher."

"Speaking of which, I have always envied you, Miss Treville." At this time, Laura suddenly interrupted Fran's words.

Her tone was still so cold and arrogant.

"Huh? Envy me?" Fran looked at Laura with some curiosity, "Is there anything you need to envy about me?"

"I really envy you. You can learn to paint so easily! Only talented people will not take talent seriously." Laura's face was full of envy, "I heard that your father was also a famous painter in the past. Is this talent really hereditary...?"

Although this kind of words seem to be a compliment, it always sounds a bit wrong. It always feels like accusing Fran of pretending to be humble but showing off.

"You make me even more confused." Fran was a little curious.

"Yes, I envy you for having such a talent. You are stronger than me. What I hate most is being surpassed by others, so I have been trying hard to catch up, but in the past few years, I still can't catch up with you." Laura said coldly, "That's why I am not convinced, not at all. I don't believe that I have spent so much effort. In the end, I still can't beat you... I am even more unconvinced that the teacher thinks so highly of you!"

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

How can such words be said in person? It's too rude.

Is she drunk?

Everyone secretly looked at Laura's face. Then they found that Laura's face was a little red, and it seemed that she was indeed drunk.

"To be honest. Although I admit that you are very talented in painting, I still feel a little dissatisfied with the teacher for valuing you so much." Lola ignored everyone's reaction and continued without hesitation, "What's even more unconvincing is that the teacher actually gave his own art gallery to you before he died! Why do you deserve such favor? We are all students of the teacher?"

"Then what do you want to do?" Fran looked a little overwhelmed, "Are you drunk? Go back and rest early?"

"No, I'm not drunk, I'm very sober." Lola said what people often say after being drunk, "I want to compete with you formally. I am full of passion now. I will definitely be able to draw a good painting that will make you feel ashamed!"

"But..." Fran hesitated, "It's so late..."

"What? Don't you know that a true painter will not care about time or place as long as he has inspiration in his heart?" Laura seemed to be excited, her eyes were full of challenge and ridicule, "Or are you afraid? Now your hands can't hold the brush anymore?"

"Miss de-Bovan, that's enough!" Matilda couldn't stand it anymore, "Go home and rest if you are drunk, don't make trouble here!"

"Don't worry about my business." Laura answered without looking back, just looking at Fran, "Miss Treville, here, in front of everyone, do you dare to compete with me again? We will go to the teacher's room later and compete in front of him. But don't worry, even if you lose, I won't ask you to give up the gallery."

Under Laura's gaze, Fran's smile slowly faded and became serious. Obviously, her competitive spirit was also successfully aroused by Laura.

"Okay, if you insist, then let's compete..." Fran sighed, "Although my hands are a little rusty now, I think I can still beat you."

"Fran, don't play with this drunkard." Matilda advised Fran, "Just let her go home by herself."

"No, Matilda, I can't back down in the face of a challenge. Besides... this is not just my business." Fran shook her head, obviously full of confidence, "In the teacher's studio, I have to protect his reputation."

Matilda was speechless.

Since Fran had said this, she had nothing to say.

"Okay, then you teach her a lesson. I'll go back first." She said goodbye to Fran. "When the time comes, you must show me your work today. I think it will be very interesting..."

With a smile. The two said goodbye to each other, and then Matilda turned and left.

Seeing that the time had come. Others also said goodbye, and Fran said goodbye to them one by one. Then, she and Lola, who was obviously still drunk, stumbled towards the small room inside the studio where the Durenberg painter often painted.

……………………

In the studio that had become quiet again, the two girls walked into the small studio of the deceased painter.

The walls of this small studio were full of the painter's paintings in those days. Although they were just practice works, they could still be considered a considerable fortune today when the painter had passed away.

On the bookcase next to the wall, there was an exquisite bronze sculpture. This ancient Greek hero was quietly watching everything inside.

"Ha..." As soon as she closed the small door, Fran sighed deeply, then slumped on the sofa, "It's really tiring."

"You did a good job, more natural than I thought." Lola's face became even gloomier, but also more calm. "I didn't expect you to be so natural."

She didn't drink, so she was very sober now.

"Sometimes. We can only find ways to force ourselves." Fran's expression was also very gloomy, and even looked a little sad.

"That's a good point!" Lola laughed, "Only by making ourselves stronger can we be invincible. Okay. Where is the thing?"

"There!" Fran pointed to a bookcase.

Lola walked over, opened the bookcase, and then reached out to take out everything inside.

Then. She didn't say much, and took off her skirt directly.

This is a men's suit. A dark black coat, a velvet hat and a cloak. It is enough to wrap anyone tightly.

"Although you gave me the size, it was made at the last minute, so I can't guarantee that it will fit. Please pay attention to it when the time comes." Fran whispered.

"It doesn't matter, as long as it's not too outrageous." Lola stripped herself down to her underwear, and then began to change into this men's suit.

After changing, Lola moved her hands and feet a little and tried the clothes.

"Well, it fits well! Thank you."

"That's good." Fran nodded, "Then I wish you all the best."

"That's the only way, isn't it?" Lola replied with a smile.

If it doesn't go well, Lola will never have a chance to come back here to change clothes.

There is no time to talk more.

"Thank you." Lola nodded, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Lola opened the side door, and the figure in black disappeared like a ghost.

No one was here anymore, and everything was silent.

Fran was stunned for a moment, and it took a long time for her to come back to her senses.

Then, she bit her lip and walked to the desk beside the bed and sat down.

Then, she picked up the paintbrush and started painting in her teacher's room - in order to prove that Laura had been here, she had to paint two paintings tonight, and the styles of the paintings had to be different. This was indeed not an easy job.

So, what should I paint? A strange question came to her mind.

Although she tried her best to calm herself down, she was so confused that she couldn't concentrate, let alone paint well.

She looked up at the window, trying to find some inspiration.

However, it was late at night, and everything was hidden in the darkness. Looking out the window, she could only see the dark, bottomless darkness, and nothing else.

Can't just paint a ball of black fog? Fran couldn't help feeling a little anxious.

At this moment, her sight moved to the corner of the room.

The flickering candlelight made the shadow of the sculpture appear from time to time beside it, appearing to float. It was as if there were really spirits watching all this.

Oh my God!

If the teacher really had a spirit in heaven, how would he view us two students? A thought suddenly flashed through Fran's mind.

She knew the answer without even thinking about it.

An inexplicable feeling made her smile bitterly.

Although there were so many complicated thoughts, strangely, she had no fear or guilt in her heart.

Instead, she picked up the paintbrush.

She had an inspiration.

She had a hunch that this would be a good painting. (To be continued...)