"The Man of the Sift Valley is an excellent work in every way, and it is certainly one of the best in the latest exhibition at the Salon de la Liberty.

Mr. Miller combines technique and expressiveness, and as long as he continues to follow the current line, he will surely become one of the top painters in our country, and at the same time, he will also push the rural school to a new peak...... He has proven that he has what it takes to be the best painter.

All in all, although he has come to prominence, Mr. Miller has not yet enjoyed the honor he deserves, and we can wait and see what day will come sooner rather than later......"

Jean-Franois-Millet (1814-1875) was famous as a young man for his great talent for painting. Beginning in 1847, Miller began to focus his interest on rural subjects, and The Man in the Sift Valley was his work in 1848.

During the Second Empire, he was known for his realistic and thorough depiction of rural life, and was known as the greatest pastoral painter in France. 】

In the early morning sun, in his bedroom, Charles sat in his seat and read the review softly.

This was brought by Fran early in the morning.

And she herself, standing next to Charles at the moment, looked at Charles with anxiety.

The morning air is very fresh, and Charles is sitting by the window, breathing in the slightly scented scent of flowers. While carefully admiring his sister's rather delicate handwriting.

Soon, he finished reading.

"How's it written, sir?" After a moment of silence. Fran asked tremblingly, and although she wanted to pretend to be very calm, anyone could see the nervousness, "Tell me, how is the writing?" ”

She was wearing a sleeveless dress made of tweed and brown tweed high-tops, and her hair was also tied up in a bun, looking fresh and lovely. It seems that he has grown up a lot, but this trembling appearance is very much like a middle school student facing a teacher. People no longer doubt her age.

"Very well written." Charles nodded, no longer selling off, and smiled encouragingly at his sister, "Don't be so nervous. Really well written...... Anyway, in my opinion. Already a qualified review. ”

After hearing Charles's words, Fran breathed a clear sigh of relief.

"That's great! This is my first review...... It feels so weird......"

"Well, don't worry, I'll ask the editor to send this out when I get back, and it won't be long before you can see it in the newspaper." Charles patted her on the head. Then he gave his advice, "However, you can also consider posting something critical in the future, preferably in a more drastic way." The more uncomfortable it is, the better. Newspapers, my favorite thing is to have a pen fight. As long as you scold, there will be more interested people...... Anyway, this is a verbal war with a pen name, who knows who you are? ”

"But...... Wouldn't that have any bad effects? Fran cowered a little uncomfortably, as if she was a little afraid, "so many people have seen it when they write criticism in the newspaper...... I always feel a little embarrassed......"

This silly boy.

Charles didn't expect that the task assigned by him at will, which was only used to coax his sister, would be taken so seriously by her. Well, forget it, I didn't expect her to do it well, whatever she wants, it's not a big problem anyway.

"Okay," Charles smiled and patted her on the head, "it's okay, it's just a suggestion from me, in fact, it's you who writes it, you can write whatever you like......"

Fran nodded slightly, "I see." ”

"Well, that's good." Charles opened the drawer and put away the manuscript written by his sister, then picked up his other letters, intending to open them.

Suddenly, he sensed something was wrong, and then he turned his gaze back to find that his sister hadn't left.

"What's wrong with you? Anything else? Charles asked, curiously.

Very rarely, Fran's face was a little hesitant, as if she didn't dare to say anything, and her face became a little pale.

Finally, as if she had made some kind of determination, she raised her brow and asked softly.

"Can you answer me a question? Mr? ”

"Oh, of course."

After getting her brother's permission, Fran's face finally felt a little more excited.

"Brother, how come we've been so rich lately? You can buy bonds, you can start a newspaper...... Aren't these all places that cost a lot of money? You can't save this money at home, right? At least I didn't hear my grandfather say he had that much savings. She looked up, her eyes flickering slightly, "I'm just curious, really, just a little, if it's not convenient for you to answer me, then don't say it......"

After this period of experience, she is no longer as completely ignorant of monetary matters as before. In addition, because she was personally responsible, she also knew the financial situation of the Marquis de Treville's family very well, and knew very well that the family's property alone (if not at all) was not enough to support the business activities of the Charles, so it was natural that she would have some curiosity.

After hearing his sister's question, Charles fell into a brief silence.

However, now that she has begun to understand the family's financial situation, it is normal for her to be curious about Charles's situation, right? Anyone who knows this will wonder how he managed to get that much money.

In a sense, this is also a kind of growth, and she has reached the age where she can think about practical matters.

After a few moments, Charles cleared the confusion from his thoughts, and then he nodded slightly.

"You're right, none of the money I have in my hands is from my family, but from somewhere else."

It was brought from a multitude of families that had suffered losses or gone bankrupt – or should I say robbed them.

"Where did that come from?" Fran hurriedly asked. Then she lowered her voice, "Did you borrow it from Charlotte's house?" ”

"Of course not, how is that possible? How did you come up with such a strange idea? Charles replied immediately. Then he glanced at Fran with some confusion, "I haven't borrowed money from the Charlottes, and I won't in the future." Their home is our home, and we are us. ”

Charles said this from the heart, and he hated being entangled with his relatives over money. The Grange that I found in Charlotte before was just a mutually beneficial cooperation, not something to borrow.

"That's great." Hearing Charles's answer, Fran whispered to herself. The whole person seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"My money was borrowed from Baron de Beauwon." Charles continued to explain, it wasn't a secret anyway. "I borrowed millions from him."

"Where is Lola's father? Millions? So much, huh? Fran was taken aback. His voice trembled a little, "Why did you borrow so much?" ”

"The more you borrow, the more you earn." Charles replied vaguely, of course he would not explain to his sister in detail the circumstances of his relationship with the baron, and the fact that they had colluded to make a fortune. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll take care of all these things myself. The risk is absolutely under control, and nothing can go wrong. ”

"But it's still too dangerous...... "Fran wanted to say more.

"Okay, I know everything." Charles stood up and patted her on the head, "Don't worry about me, you can enjoy the convenience that wealth brings to you with peace of mind, why do you have to trace the origin of wealth?" It doesn't make any sense. I said it. You'll live like a princess, and I'm not going to break my word. It won't be long ......"

He rubbed her hair mischievously, "You'll have it all!" ”

Fran listened quietly to her brother's comfort, and this time she did not resist his brother's touch.

"Well, since you say that, then I won't ask any more questions. But...... Of course, it's good to have money, but you know, I'm not a person who takes luxury too seriously, isn't it good to have enough money? In the past, our family didn't have much money, didn't we all grow up well? So, I don't think you have to take too many risks for this......" She gently hugged her brother and buried her head in his chest, "It seems to me that as long as you are by my side, I have everything...... Sir, nothing you can give me can compare to this! ”

After hearing his sister's apparently heartfelt confession, Charles couldn't help but be a little moved.

Gold, silver and jewelry can't buy such loyalty, can they? It's so impressive.

"Thank you." He also hugged his sister and kissed her on the forehead gently, "What a good boy." ”

"I'm not a kid anymore." Fran looked up and protested earnestly.

"......Haha Now there are no other problems, right? ”

"Nope." Fran gently left Charles' embrace, "Thank you, sir. ”

"Well, let's see you later?" Charles pointed to his papers, saying that he still had a lot to do.

"See you again, you can take care of your own business." Fran nodded obediently, then slowly turned around and left Charles' room.

However, suddenly, as if she remembered something, she came back to her senses, and her face was covered with the same innocence again.

"By the way, sir, there's something else I forgot to tell you?" She said in an extremely brisk tone.

"What?"

"Don't keep touching my head." There seemed to be some resentment in her tone, "I've said it several times! I'm so old that you can't always treat me like a child......"

Sure enough, after hearing her protest, Charles burst out laughing, "Oh, oh, I'm really sorry, I'll change it later." ”

It's good if you're happy. (To be continued......)