Miniature of Andres

t into the essence of things, yet lets herself bound by such harsh moral chains!"

However, the scene of Manon emotively kissing the miniature of Buzot allowed the maiden to taste untimely a sort of romantic and dramatic passion. Due to the destined tragic ending of their love, such a posture of die-for-love took on even more artistic hues in Edith''s eyes.

"For a girl like me, love must be perfect and flawless!" She touched her chest with her hand and silently recited in her heart.

She again pondered Madame Roland''s final echo before her departure.

"But what was I thinking of just now? The portrait... yes, portrait!"

-------------------

Andre was sitting at his desk in the Percys'' house, writing a document, when Edith burst into the room and strode straight up to him, saying, "I want a miniature of you."

Andre was surprised. "A miniature? Why do you need my portrait? I''m right here, I''m not going anywhere."

She remained expressionless, turning her head away without a word.

"Did you miss me?" he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but his tone still cautious. "Edith?"

"I didn''t!" she immediately retorted.

He sighed, set down his pen, and rose to his feet, circling around the desk to stand in the face of her. "You''ve been avoiding me all these days. It''s been weighing heavily on me. Do you ever feel the same way? Even just a little?"

She noticed the dark circles under his eyes, his pallid lips, and the debility that still lingered in his movements. Thinking of his long nights at work recovering recently from the serious illness, her heart couldn''t resist softening considerably.

As she refused to answer, the light in his eyes dimmed, his gaze shifting downwards with a sense of loss. Edith caught a glimpse of a colourful painting on his desk, hidden beneath some papers.

Before Andre could stop her, she had snatched up the painting. It