As time passed, the night grew deeper and deeper, and the party in the gallery slowly entered the end.

However, perhaps because everyone had completely relaxed, the atmosphere was even more enthusiastic. Underneath the smiles of the dressed women, real or fake, Fran's party was filled with laughter and seemed to be happy.

"Ah, it's not too early......" After chatting for a while, Fran suddenly sighed, and then looked at everyone mysteriously, "Are you a little tired?" ”

Without waiting for anyone else to answer, she continued, "Shall I give you something to refresh yourself?" ”

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

If it were in the 21st century, I am afraid that this statement would be very misleading......

"I've prepared some fruit wine for everyone, would you like to try it?" Fran laughed mysteriously, then lowered her voice, "It's 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, and they get together but secretly drink, and I'm afraid it's not good to spread the word.

"Okay! If there's such a fun thing, you should have said it earlier! In the midst of everyone's whispers, Mary immediately echoed - which one is better at reading novels on mobile phones? Maybe no matter what Fran says now, she will echo it. "I'm getting bored with the constant chatting...... I'm tired of keeping a straight face, but it's just us here. No one is asking for trouble, is he? ”

After Mary said this, everyone looked at each other again. It seems to be a little moved.

That's right, in this kind of situation where everyone will keep it a secret. On the contrary, there is a faint sense of pleasure in my heart that breaks the restrictions of the rules.

"It's just fruit wine, it's not easy to get drunk, and you won't be seen when you go home......" Fran said with a smile still on his face, "but it's just fun, and if anyone doesn't want to drink it, I won't force it......"

"So what are you waiting for? Miss Treville? Lola suddenly spoke, "Hurry up and bring the wine, right?" I'd like to try it, but I don't know if there's a good taste at home. ”

"I'm going to taste it too!"

"Can you get me some too?"

After Lola spoke. Her friends were so impressed that they asked for some wine too.

Matilda was still silent, as if she was thinking about something, and Lola couldn't help but sneer at her cold appearance. "What's wrong? Mademoiselle Delierion? Don't you want to get involved in such a vulgar activity as us? ”

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

"That's right, it's hard to let you come here in the first place, how dare you deign to play with us?" Lola's tone was still full of sarcasm. "Okay, no one is forcing you, so you don't have to take everyone seriously."

Seeing that the other party was so vitriolic and rude, Matilda couldn't help but be a little annoyed. So he mocked in the same way.

"First, I'm only here to congratulate Fran, and I didn't want to play with you in the first place; Second...... You're right. I really didn't take you seriously. If you have an opinion, feel free to mention it. ”

"You've always been so high. Who would dare to have an opinion with you? Lola replied with a sneer. You, who are of such noble blood, have to stay with us. Uncomfortable, right? I feel sorry for you. ”

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

This sentence made the atmosphere freeze instantly.

"Why, didn't you quarrel enough back then?" Lola looked at Matilda coldly.

"Now, I don't think there's any point in arguing with you." Although Lola's gaze was sharp, Matilda did not flinch in the slightest, "However, if you want to quarrel now, I am happy to accompany you." ”

Seeing Matilda say this, her friends also showed their eyes in solidarity.

For a while, the atmosphere between the two groups of people became solemn again, and the few neutrals were also a little at a loss, and hurriedly looked at the master, hoping that she would save the scene quickly.

"Okay, okay, don't make any noise, it's just fun, it doesn't matter if you drink or not, don't quarrel?" Seeing that Lola and Matilda were arguing again, Fran hurriedly persuaded her to fight. "Okay, okay, it's not too late, let's hurry up and have a drink, shall we?!"

Then, without waiting for anyone else to speak, she chuckled and instructed the maid to bring her all the wine and cups that had been stored in the adjacent room.

The servant quickly poured the wine into one cup after another. The golden yellow liquor glows in the candlelight, giving off a misty color.

Led by Fran and Lola, each of the girls who said they wanted something to drink picked up a cup and grunted down.

Matilda suddenly picked up a cup and drank it too.

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

"It's rare that you're so happy today, I just drink a little and nothing." Matilda smiled, then picked up the cup as well, "As long as you're happy." ”

"Thank you, Matilda!" Fran laughed happily.

Seeing that Matilda had also decided to drink something, the last few people who were still hesitant also picked up the wine glass under the herd mentality, and even those who were not usually drunk were embarrassed to deviate from this atmosphere.

"So......" Mary duly picked up her glass, "let's wish the beautiful Miss Treville a happy birthday, cheers!" ”

"Cheers!" Everyone shouted together, and then touched each other's glasses.

"Well, it's a good wine." After drinking a glass of sweet and sour fruit wine, Lola tasted it again. "I feel so much better than the ones we have at home."

"It's not easy to get such praise from you!" Fran smiled and replied, "It's not in vain that I've been preparing for so long. However, it's best not to drink too much. It's fruit wine, but if you drink too much, I'm afraid you'll still get drunk......"

"It doesn't matter. Anyway, the opportunity is rare, even if you are drunk, so what's the matter? Lola replied nonchalantly. I'm so happy today, I just want to drink more. ”

"Alright, well, who's going to stop you......" Fran sighed softly, then picked up a bottle of wine herself to pour her more wine, while Lola simply drank it down.

"You're amazing."

Seeing that Lola was so careless, the other girls seemed to be encouraged and continued to drink.

In this way, everyone drank the wine one by one. The sweet smell of wine permeated the entire studio. Most people have a slight flush on their faces.

Under the influence of alcohol, the girls, who were already unrestrained, were more taboo-free in a slightly drunk state, and became more and more presumptuous in their words and laughter, and the topics became more and more strange, from the initial social news to all kinds of stories and strange stories, and then some foreign celebrity deeds, and finally. I don't know why, but I talked about the topic of marriage.

None of them are very old, but some of their classmates are already married, and some of them have even given birth. Although Fran invites people today who are not married yet. But now everyone has begun to pay attention to this issue.

After entering this topic, everyone started with whose fiancé and the object they liked, and finally unconsciously commented on some outstanding unmarried young people in the social world. Some of the comments are full of snarky and sarcastic, and if I heard it, I am afraid that I would be furious.

"That's right. Fran, I wonder what you've thought about here? After talking for a while. A friend took advantage of the wine and looked at Fran with a smile on his face, looking both curious and a little envious, "Your grandfather and brother are now so prosperous, they should find you a good husband, right?" ”

"Huh? Me? Fran was a little surprised, then smiled wryly, "I haven't thought about this yet." ”

"You're almost at this age, how can you not think about it?" The friend laughed teasingly, "It can't be that you've already chosen a partner, right......?" ”

"Needless to say? People are just 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, people can slowly choose among the best candidates, of course there is no hurry!" I wonder now that her elders have already chosen it for her! ”

This sentence made everyone laugh again, and then each toasted again.

No one noticed, and Fran's face darkened suddenly.

She bit her lip tightly, trying not to flash her anger. This kind of unintentional joke has brought such deep pain to himself.

"There's nothing to talk about like this," after a while, she finally suppressed the anger in her heart and smiled again, "Let it be, I can't control anything......"

No one but one could hear what the words were.

"Let's have another drink, everybody!" Lola raised her glass again, "Let's have another toast to Miss Treville's future happiness!" ”

"Cheers!"

Among those who responded, Matilda was not included.

Instead, she was awakened by Lola's shouting.

It's already this time, right?

Matilda's head was a little groggy because she had drunk some wine.

It was time to leave, she thought.

"Fran, I'm sorry, I think I have to go back......" Matilda's voice was a little urny because of the strength of the wine, "I'm so glad to be here with you tonight to congratulate you." ”

"Oh, it's okay......" Fran shook her head, clearly not minding her farewell. It's 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, shall we?"

Her words did not cause any opposition, and everyone had enough fun.

In this way, the party came to an end, and everyone waited for the wine to slowly dissipate, while having a final small talk with each other, and the atmosphere changed from the enthusiasm and even mania just now, to calm down again.

The topic of this time. It's back to the study and life of the year.

Then some people expressed envy of Fran's painting skills at that time, praising her talent that was unmatched.

"Actually, I don't know how to draw. It's just about practice. Talent is one thing, but it's useless to have talent if you don't practice......" Fran smiled sheepishly. "You see, I haven't been practicing much lately, so I've regressed a lot all of a sudden, and I'm planning to start practicing again lately, so as not to waste the lessons I learned from my teacher."

"I've always envied you, Miss Treville." At this time, Lola suddenly interrupted Fran's words.

Her tone was still so cold and arrogant.

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

"I envy you. You can learn to draw so easily! Only a gifted person would do such an inappropriate thing with talent. Lola's face was full of envy, "I heard that your father was also a well-known painter back then, is it true that this talent can be inherited......?" ”

This kind of words, although they seem to be compliments, always sound wrong, and always feel like they are accusing Fran of pretending to be modest but showing off.

"I don't understand what you say." Fran was a little curious.

"Yes, I envy you for having that kind of talent. Forced it over me. The last thing I like as a person is to be overtaken by others, so I have been trying to catch up, and the result is ...... I still can't catch up with you in those years. Lola said coldly, "Because of that. I'm not convinced, I'm not convinced at all, I don't believe I've put so much effort into it. In the end, it can't compare to you...... I'm even more unconvinced that the teacher values you so much! ”

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other.

How can such a thing be said to your face? It's so rude.

Is it drunk?

Everyone sneaked a look at Lola's face. Then I noticed that Lola's face was a little red, and it seemed that she was indeed drunk.

"Let's be honest. Although I admit that you are very talented in drawing, I have always felt a little dissatisfied with the fact that your teacher thinks so highly of you. Lola ignored everyone's reactions and continued without scruples, "What's even more unconvincing is that the teacher actually gave you his own gallery before he died!" How did you get such a favor? Obviously everyone is a student of the teacher, right? ”

"So what do you want to do?" Fran looked a little overwhelmed, "Are you drunk?" Shall we go back to rest early? ”

"No, I'm not drunk, I'm sober." Lola said what people often say when they are drunk, "I'm going to compete with you officially, I'm full of passion now, and I'm sure I'll be able to paint a good picture that will make you feel ashamed!" ”

"But......" Fran hesitated, "it's already so late......

"What? Don't you know that a real painter, as long as he has inspiration in his heart, will not care about any time and place? Lola's eyes were full of challenge and mockery, "Or are you actually scared?" Now you can't hold a brush in your hand? ”

"Miss de Beauwon, enough is enough!" Matilda couldn't stand it anymore, "If you're drunk, go home and rest, don't make trouble here!" ”

"You don't have to worry about my business." Lola replied without looking back, just looking at Fran, "Miss Treville, here, in the presence of everyone, do you dare to try with me again?" We'll go to the teacher's room and have a better game in his presence. But don't worry, even if you lose, I won't ask you to leave the gallery. ”

Under Lola's gaze, Fran's smile slowly faded and became stern. Obviously, her competitive spirit was also aroused by Lola's success.

"Well, since you insist, let's fight the last one......" Fran sighed, "I think I can beat you now, although my hands are a little rusty now, but I think I can still beat you." ”

"Fran, don't mess around with this drunk." Matilda persuaded Fran, "Just let her go home by herself." ”

"No, Matilda, I can't back down in the face of a challenge. Moreover...... It's not my own business. Fran shook her head, apparently confident, "In the teacher's studio, I have to defend his reputation." ”

Matilda was dumbfounded.

Now that Fran has said this, she has nothing more to say.

"Well, then you can teach her a good lesson. I'll go back first. She thought Fran had taken her leave. When the time comes, be sure to show me your work today, it will be very interesting......"

In the midst of a smile. The two men said goodbye to each other, and Matilda turned to leave.

The time has come. The others also offered their farewells, and Fran said goodbye to them. Then, together with Lola, who had apparently not yet recovered from her drunkenness, she stumbled towards the small room in the studio where Durhamburg's painters often painted.

……………………

In the studio, which has become silent again, two young girls enter the small studio of the deceased painter.

The walls of this small studio are covered with paintings by the painter from those days, and although they are only practice works, they can still be regarded as a great fortune even after the artist's death.

And on the bookcase next to the wall, there is a beautiful bronze sculpture. This ancient Greek hero is quietly watching the qiē inside.

As soon as the door was closed, Fran let out a long sigh and slumped down on the couch, "It's tiring."...... ”

"You're doing a great job, it's more natural than I thought." Lola's face became more gloomy, but also more calm. "I didn't expect you to be able to do it so naturally."

She hadn't been drinking, so she's sober now.

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

"That's a good point!" Lola laughed, "Only by making ourselves strong can we be invincible." All right. Where's the thing? ”

"There!" Fran gestured to a bookcase.

Lola walked over, then opened the bookcase, and reached out to take out all the contents.

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

It's a men's outfit. Dark black coat with velvet top hat and cape. Enough to wrap anyone tightly.

"Although you gave me a size, after all, it was made by someone in a hurry, so I don't guarantee the fit, you should pay attention to yourself at that time." Fran whispered.

"It's okay, as long as it's not too outrageous." Lola stripped herself down to her underwear and began to change into this men's outfit.

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

"Well, it fits perfectly! Thank you. ”

"That's good." Fran nodded, "Then I wish you a good luck." ”

"That's all there is to it, isn't it?" Lola replied with a smile.

If it doesn't go her way, Lola won't have a chance to come back here and change her clothes.

There's no time for more talking.

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

"Goodbye."

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

There's no one here anymore, and it's all silent.

Fran was stunned for a moment, then came to her senses for a moment.

Then, biting her lip, she walked over to the desk next to the bed and sat down.

Then she picked up her paintbrush and began to paint in her teacher's room—to prove that Lola had been here, she had to draw two pictures tonight, and in a different style, which was not an easy task.

So, what should you draw? A strange question arose in her mind.

Although I tried my best to calm down, I couldn't concentrate on my mind, let alone paint.

She looked up at the window, looking for some inspiration.

However, by this time the night was already deep, and everything was hidden in the darkness, and when I looked out of the window, I could only see a dark, bottomless darkness, and nothing else.

You can't just draw a black mist into it, right? Fran couldn't help but feel a little anxious in her heart.

Just then, her eyes moved to the corner of the room.

The flickering candlelight makes the shadow of the sculpture appear next to it from time to time, making it appear to float. It's as if there really is a soul watching this qiē.

My God!

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

She doesn't have to think about it to know the answer.

An inexplicable feeling made a bitter smile appear at the corner of her mouth.

Although there were so many complicated thoughts, the strange thing was that there was no fear or regret in her heart.

Instead, she picked up the paintbrush.

She's inspired.

She had a hunch in her heart that it would be a good painting. (To be continued......) R1292