true love affair, as Edith was still far from the age of romantic infatuation. Nevertheless, the cramped little studio had an alluring, almost mystical quality that drew her in.
During breaks in the lessons, she would perch on a small stool in the corner and watch him work.
He had to produce some simple and vulgar works to earn a living, yet at times he would rather go hungry just to finish one of his own grand art pieces.
As he painted this oil painting, he always knitted his brows and occasionally bit his lip, wielding his brush with great force, so absorbed that the young girl was too bashful to disturb him.
At first, she found this time tedious; but as she grew older, she began to appreciate the serious manner in which the beautiful youth painter worked.
She had a vague sense that there was some kind of passion for change in this, sometimes setting her heart racing along with his for no reason.
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On an ordinary day when Edith was about to turn thirteen, she took her new composition with gusto to the painter to discuss together.
The door was unlatched as usual. The room was empty.
The inn concierge informed her that the painter had moved out the night before.
"Where does he go?"
"How would I know, mademoiselle," the concierge impatiently threw his hands up. "To another town, anyway. It''s said he''s not coming back."
Edith almost ran all over Rouen that day. By evening, she returned to the same place with some unknown hope, pushing the creaky door open.
Only then did the girl realize how spacious this narrow inn room was.
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"The painter left? Perhaps he returned to his hometown," Aunt commented casually at the dinner table that evening. "Anyway, you''re reaching the age, shouldn''t be running off there all the time anymore. When you get a bit older, people will start gossiping."
"Mother is right, Edith. You should find other ways to entertain yourself. Margot will help you," Cousin Philippe attempted to console this poor girl.
Margot sympathized with her sister and tacitly offered Edith their bedroom for solitude after dinner.
That night, the young girl flung herself onto the bed and b