This striking contrast--this
struggle between girlish timidity and a lover's virgil energy,
endowed her with a strange and powerful charm, which the
photographer made no attempt to resist. Unusual as was the
request, he did not hesitate. "I am ready to do what you desire,
madame," he replied, bowing again.
"Oh! monsieur, how can I ever thank you?"
He did not stop to listen to her thanks. Not wishing to return to
the reception-room, where five or six clients were impatiently
awaiting their turn, he called one of his subordinates, and
ordered him to bring the necessary apparatus at once. While he
was speaking, Mademoiselle Marguerite paused; but, as soon as his
instructions were concluded, she remarked: "Perhaps you are too
hasty, sir. You have not allowed me to explain; and perhaps what
I desire is impossible. I came on the impulse of the moment,
without any knowledge on the subject. Before you set to work, I
must know if what you can do will answer my purpose."
"Speak, madame."
"Will the copy you obtain be precisely like the original in every
particular?"
"In every particular."
"The writing will be the same--exactly the same?"
"Absolutely the same."
"So like, that if one of your photographs should be presented to
the person who wrote this letter----"
"He could no more deny his handwriting than he could if some one
handed him the letter itself.
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