[Masterpiece Les Miserables] Paris Sparks

It seemed that from the moment he met Enjolras and Combeferre, things suddenly went smoothly.

It is true that critics and the art world are hard on budding painters, and even harder on women.However, if it is a countess lady, if it is a painter who is really talented, that is another matter.Critics don't want to confuse right and wrong, let alone offend an earl because of this—even an earl with little real power.She is only 15 years old, which has made her a real achievement. Talented young painters are always more topical and favored by the media. A commentary in Ta Kung Pao even described her in such words: "Perhaps, after a few years, this Mademoiselle Evermonde will become the second Madame Le Brun in Paris."

It's hard to say whether this is a compliment or an irony. After all, as a famous French female painter, Mrs. Verry-Le Brun is equally famous for her tragic marriage and bleak old age as her painting skills.But in any case, the affirmation of her paintings is beyond doubt.

She wasn't an instant hit, but she gradually became famous. When she entered balls and salons, people looked at her and saw the budding female painter Corona Efremond instead of the "Earl's Daughter" or "Student of a Famous Painter".The only pity was that she couldn't share the joy with her new friends—after all, if they were asking about new painters up and coming in Paris, they wouldn't be able to hear the name Cole Carton.She could only talk to them about theatre, about history, about the French Revolution.It was almost like a distance education initiated on stationery: Combeferre as teacher, Enjolras as assistant, Corona as student.Combeferre would mention various books in his letters, sometimes he just quoted a few words from them, and sometimes he directly attached a list of recommended books to the letter.Corona found the books she hadn't read, took the time to read them, and wrote back.As a result, the frequency of letters between them is extremely low. Counting the time spent by the postman on the road, sometimes there is only one letter in two months.Most of the time it is Combeferre who writes the reply, and very occasionally a few words from Enjolras appear in the letter.

"...sometimes I almost thought you were playing against us on purpose." Combeferre wrote in smooth and beautiful handwriting on the letter paper, they were familiar enough to use 'you' to refer to each other, "But I have to admit, Many times, your point of view has given me a lot of new inspiration. Maybe it is because you have never been in touch with this history before, but you can interpret it from a new perspective...

"...I don't deny that the Great Revolution did not do enough to liberate women. During the revolution, many outstanding women contributed their strength and blood, and used their lives to defend freedom and equality. This cannot be ignored. The glory of women. However, I think your views are still too radical. Enjolras has something to say about this, and on this point I agree with him. His words are as follows:

"It is true that many outstanding and outstanding women emerged during the Great Revolution, such as Olanpu Deguge and Mrs. Roland. I don't need to list them all, but you must be able to count many, and it can be seen that you are their staunch supporter But compared with more excellent fighters, thinkers and revolutionaries, we should see that women are only a minority among them. They are a short-lived embellishment, not the backbone of the revolution. When we talk about revolution, talk about society For progress and the liberation of the people, we cannot pin our hopes on a group that can only occasionally burst out with a little brilliance.

"Of course, I know you will contradict me, as in many previous correspondence. Looking forward to hearing from you."

Corona sighed, put down the letter paper, and pulled out a blank letter paper from the side.

"Dear Combeferre and Enjolras:" she began to write back, "I have been a little busy recently, and I have not finished reading Rousseau's works for the time being--probably not for a long time. Therefore, I intend to give you Write back and discuss this divide we are facing. Contrary to you, I do not believe that women's talent is a flash in the pan, a gift that only a very small number of women have. On the contrary, I believe that social injustice has long suppressed many Women, so that their talents and abilities cannot be truly displayed, and they cannot even be perceived by themselves. Only a few lucky women have the opportunity to receive education, so they can't wait to burst out their brilliance..."

She was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Corona?" Caton asked her outside the door.

"I'm here." She promised, quickly put down the pen, picked up the letter paper and blew it, carefully turned it upside down on the table, and then went to answer the door.

Carton handed her a gorgeous and exquisite invitation card.

"Invitation to a ball from the Countess of Morcerf, this Saturday at three o'clock."

"Countess de Morcerf?" Corona took the invitation and asked casually.

She has an impression of the Countess of Morcerf-at the first party when she first entered the Parisian society, several noble ladies commented on the Countess of Morcerf and laughed at her past as a fisherman.It was this incident that shattered the gorgeous dreams of the nobles in Corona's eyes.But Carton didn't know about it, and only thought that she didn't know enough about the Countess of Morcerf.He explained: "Count Malcerf just got the title of earl because of his meritorious service last year. Like us, he also belongs to the new nobles. Before he really establishes himself, he will always be squeezed out by other nobles intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, he is eager It is normal to find an ally."

Now Corona knows enough about the French nobles that she can complete Carton's unfinished words in her heart: Carton, the current Earl of Evermond, has no sons, is not married, and has no relatives who can inherit the title. The Earl's seat was not secure enough; his daughter was still young, and her age did not match that of Earl Morcerf's son, so she could not be used as a marriage partner.Therefore, Caton may indeed be within Earl Morcerf's consideration, but he does not have enough chips for him to win an alliance.But now Corona has shown a talent for painting and has become famous.Even if she can't become the second Mrs. Le Brun in the end, even if she is only an excellent painter, she can bring her considerable income and social bargaining chips.So Count Morcerf did not hesitate to show his kindness.

"So what do you think, father? Do you think we should be on good terms with the Count de Morcerf?"

"There is always no harm in making friends with another nobleman. But if you don't like the Countess of Morcerf, there is no need to force it."

"I have the impression that she is a kind lady, but I haven't spoken to her much, so I really don't know her well." Corona recalled the noble dinner she had attended before, "As for Count Morcerf, I have He knows even less. Father, do you think?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. What matters is whether you like the Countess and whether she likes you."

Corona nodded, "Then we'll talk about it after Saturday—will you go with me, father?"

"Of course." Caton said with a smile.

To Corona's surprise, the countess found her not long after the opening dance.

"Ma'am." She lifted the corner of her skirt and saluted the countess, who nodded in return. "It's hot in the hall," she said, smiling. "What do you think?"

Corona gently lifted the juice with ice in Tuo's hand. "I was just going to ask you," she said with a smile, "why you open the shutters and glass, so that the outside wind can blow in?"

Madame de Morcerf then ordered a few words to the waiter, who turned away.She herself turned to a window next to the two of them, and was about to reach out to prop it up, but Corona took a slight step to the side, just using her body to prevent the Countess from raising her arm.She met the Countess' eyes and just smiled sweetly at her.

In fact, Corona was not quite sure whether the countess could really accept her hint - a countess who opened windows and doors by herself would be regarded as a loss of status by the nobles.Although Corona herself doesn't care, there are many ladies who care.She even considered whether to whisper something, but apparently Madame de Morcerf was not as stupid as the legend said, she was even very smart—— After a moment of surprise, she nodded to Corona and smiled back .

A few minutes later, the window was opened by the waiter from the outside, frangipani and wiltweed hung above the window, and through this beautiful curtain, one could see the maple trees, rose trees and camellias scattered in the garden. "Your gardener is really good." Corona praised, "I'm afraid there are few gardens more beautiful than this one in all of Paris."

Madame de Morcerf looked at her, seeming surprised.Corona tilted her head: "Did my words offend you, ma'am?"

"No, never--but you know, since my husband was made a count and I accompanied him to Paris, it's the first time I've heard anyone say 'Your gardener is splendid' instead of 'Your garden is splendid ’. Nobles seem to be in the habit of giving all praise and credit to their masters.”

"Be careful, ma'am, you are also a nobleman now."

The two laughed together. "But I sincerely think that your garden is beautiful, madam." Corona said sincerely, "Through your window, it is a beautiful landscape painting without any processing by the painter."

"You are being modest, I like your paintings very much."

"Me? Thank you for your love, but I'm afraid my abilities are still far behind."

"As far as I'm concerned, you're quite remarkable," said Madame de Morcerf. "I remember seeing a "Port"—you painted the port of Marseilles, didn't you?"

Madame de Morcerf was once a fisherwoman from Marseilles—Corona can now confirm that the rumors are indeed true. "Yes, last autumn, my father and I passed by Marseilles, and I drew that painting at the port."

"So, did the Pharaoh in your painting stop at the port at that time?" Madame Morcerf asked, her face seemed a little pale.

"Exactly, I drew that picture by imitating the situation of the port at that time-you may not believe it, when I first started drawing and coloring, there was no such ship, but when I was halfway through the painting, I saw It came from a distance, came into port, and parked there. It was like it knew there was a blank space in my picture that didn’t fit well and wanted to fill it in for me. So I painted it.”

"The Pharaoh..." Madame Morcerf sighed softly, "and its captain is...?"

Corona was taken aback.She carefully observed Madame Morcerf's expression, and was surprised to see that her eyes seemed to be covered with tears, "I don't know, madam. I was just painting by the side, and I didn't talk to those sailors."

Madame de Morcerf seemed to come back to herself suddenly. "I see," she said softly. "I beg your pardon, but I'm originally from Maasai—I miss the view of the port."

She made no secret of her origin, and she said it generously and frankly, which made Corona respectful. "I can understand that, to tell you the truth, I miss London sometimes.—though I think it's not the city that I miss, but the people who live there."

Madame Morcerf smiled sadly. "I haven't been to Marseilles for a long time," she said softly. "Would you like to tell me what it's like there now?"

"I like Madame Morcerf very much," said Corona.

"That's a high mark for you," Carton said.

"Yes." Corona smiled, "but to be honest with you, I like her precisely because she doesn't look like an aristocrat—if one day she also becomes the kind who bosses around servants and thinks she's superior people, maybe my evaluation is different.”

"Do you think she will?"

"I can't say that, father. I don't have the ability to see through what someone will look like ten years from now. But I prefer to believe that she is not. We had a good chat."

"I see." Carton said with a smile, "What did you talk about?"

"She is from Maasai. Seeing my painting of Marseille port, she missed her hometown. We talked a lot about Marseille, and then we talked about painting. She hoped that I would recommend a painting teacher. Unfortunately, I have no idea about the teacher candidates. I don’t know much about it either. In fact, I don’t mind teaching her myself, but it’s a pity...”

"You can introduce candidates for her, but don't teach her yourself." Caton said, "Although the status of a tutor is higher than that of a servant, it is not equal to the master. You can communicate with those nobles on an equal footing as a painter." , don’t lower yourself to a lower status.”

This was the first time Caton admitted that she was a painter, and Corona was taken aback. "Father, I'm not yet a painter..."

"You already are."

"No, I know in my heart that many people admit me only because of my status, because of Basil's fame—"

"I thought you really wanted to fulfill our agreement ahead of schedule, Corona. Why don't you admit it now?" Carton asked.

"...you make me act like a baby sometimes, father." Coronna sighed, leaned closer to him, and wrapped her arms around his arms, "but since you said that, I actually want to ask... Why are you so eager to admit it? Don't you want me to really be a painter?"

Carton's tone didn't change at all, but Corona felt him froze: "Why do you think so?"

"Didn't you and Basil raise the threshold of becoming a painter so high that you frightened me for years?" Corona said softly.

It wasn't a question, her tone was very certain.

The author has something to say: because of working overtime, it will be a little later today...

If there are no special circumstances in the future, I will try to update at [-]:[-] the next day!

(Suddenly a lot of comments in the last chapter?! The author who lives in the Antarctic Circle was a little scared 22333)