Manof Chpt5

Chapter 5

He was up at the crack of dawn. The sun was slowly climbing behind the hills. The shadows were long and the birds created a cacophony of avian sounds that seemed to be born of the rising the sun.

As he descended the giant stairway, just before eight, he was greeted unexpectedly by a man dressed in black riding breeches and a bright white shirt.

(Constantin riding on his horse)

"Ah, Monsieur Kellner, I assume." He smiled. "I am Count Constantin d'Autefort. I am so pleased to meet you."

Speaking with Perfect Oxford Accent

He spoke with a perfect Oxford accent. He was tall, lean and very handsome and aristoctratic but with a beautiful smile. He shook hands with a firm grip, always smiling and showed Bruce to his place at the table. Bruce noticed that the count was very slim, almost too thin and that he walked with a graceful ease. He had jet black hair with the first signs of graying at the temples. They shook hands.

"My sister is quite taken with you," he stated. "Since she heard of your recent success with Monsieur Picasso's painting, she has not been able to sleep."

Bruce was surprised. She had seemed so relaxed, so sure of herself, so easy to talk to and be with. She hid her excitement behind a veil of sophistication so much becoming of her position.

"Mr. Le Conte," he started.

"Oh no!" Constantin exclaimed." You are our invited guest. Please call me Constantin. I shall call you Bruce. Is that good for you?"

"Yes, yes," Bruce stammered. "Constantin it will be. Thank you."

"Not at all," Constantin replied. Titles are rarely used these days, especially with friends and I'm sure you will be my friend."

"And mine too," came Marie Claude's voice.
Bruce turned and smiled. She too was wearing riding breeches and high boots. In her hand was a black riding crop."

"You look fetching, my dear," Constantin said and kissed his sister on both cheeks. Bruce extended his hand. She took it but leaned over and whispered. "In France, we kiss on both cheeks. When we get to know each other better we might kiss three times."

"It will be my pleasure," Bruce smiled.

Three waiters approached. Two were very elderly and youngest served Bruce while the others tended to the others.

"This is Marcel, "said Constantin. He will serve your meals and offer you the hospitality of Hautefort while we are out. He speaks English, too. Marcel was my assistant while we were in service in England. He has never left my employ. I don't know what I'd do without him."

The Trio Begins Their Meal

Bruce smiled and nodded knowingly. The formalities were over. The trio began their meal. They talked about the rebuilding of Europe and the trouble in Korea. They talked about flowers, trees, travel and music. After a while Bruce realized that they talked about almost everything except art and the missing drawing.

Soon Constantin rose and excused himself.

"I'm afraid my sister and I have a rendez-vous with some people from the village. We will be gone for two or three hours. We'll have our lunch here with you and resume our discussions. In the meantime feel free to look around in any part of the chateau. Feel at home. If you require anything, ask Marcel."

(The interior setting of the chateau suggested the ultimate in refinement and good taste)

The brother and sister walked out arm in arm.

"More coffee, monsieur?" Marcel asked.

"Sure, thank you. Why not?"

For the next twenty minutes Bruce sipped his coffee, bit into another Amandine and glanced through the newspaper. An article caught his eye about the painter Henri Matisse. It pointed out that the French artist had been honored with the grand prize at Venice's Art Festival.

Matisse, a brilliant painter and sculptor, asked that his prize be shared with a colleague and friend, the sculptor Henri Laurens, who received little public recognition for his work.

The article went on to point out that…

The selection of the 81 year-old Matisse for the grand prize was applauded, although a number of artists and critics believed that the judges had overlooked Marc
Chagall….while Matisse was working on his latest project,
the decoration of the Dominican Chapel of the Rosary in Vence…

Bruce made a mental note to visit the Chapel when he returned to nearby Nice. It was indeed a coup for the ailing Matisse. People would flock to this little known place for years. What a coup for Vence.

Click here for Chapter 6.


	Chapter 5 He was up at the crack of dawn. The sun was slowly climbing behind the hills. The shadows were long and the birds created a cacophony of avian sounds that seemed to be born of the rising the sun. As he descended the giant stairway, just before eight, he was greeted unexpectedly by a man dressed in black riding breeches and a bright white shirt. (Constantin riding on his horse) "Ah, Monsieur Kellner, I assume." He smiled. "I am Count Constantin d'Autefort. I am so pleased to meet you." Speaking with Perfect Oxford Accent He spoke with a perfect Oxford accent. He was tall, lean and very handsome and aristoctratic but with a beautiful smile. He shook hands with a firm grip, always smiling and showed Bruce to his place at the table. Bruce noticed that the count was very slim, almost too thin and that he walked with a graceful ease. He had jet black hair with the first signs of graying at the temples. They shook hands. "My sister is quite taken with you," he stated. "Since she heard of your recent success with Monsieur Picasso's painting, she has not been able to sleep." Bruce was surprised. She had seemed so relaxed, so sure of herself, so easy to talk to and be with. She hid her excitement behind a veil of sophistication so much becoming of her position. "Mr. Le Conte," he started. "Oh no!" Constantin exclaimed." You are our invited guest. Please call me Constantin. I shall call you Bruce. Is that good for you?" "Yes, yes," Bruce stammered. "Constantin it will be. Thank you." "Not at all," Constantin replied. Titles are rarely used these days, especially with friends and I'm sure you will be my friend." "And mine too," came Marie Claude's voice. Bruce turned and smiled. She too was wearing riding breeches and high boots. In her hand was a black riding crop." "You look fetching, my dear," Constantin said and kissed his sister on both cheeks. Bruce extended his hand. She took it but leaned over and whispered. "In France, we kiss on both cheeks. When we get to know each other better we might kiss three times." "It will be my pleasure," Bruce smiled. Three waiters approached. Two were very elderly and youngest served Bruce while the others tended to the others. "This is Marcel, "said Constantin. He will serve your meals and offer you the hospitality of Hautefort while we are out. He speaks English, too. Marcel was my assistant while we were in service in England. He has never left my employ. I don't know what I'd do without him." The Trio Begins Their Meal Bruce smiled and nodded knowingly. The formalities were over. The trio began their meal. They talked about the rebuilding of Europe and the trouble in Korea. They talked about flowers, trees, travel and music. After a while Bruce realized that they talked about almost everything except art and the missing drawing. Soon Constantin rose and excused himself. "I'm afraid my sister and I have a rendez-vous with some people from the village. We will be gone for two or three hours. We'll have our lunch here with you and resume our discussions. In the meantime feel free to look around in any part of the chateau. Feel at home. If you require anything, ask Marcel." (The interior setting of the chateau suggested the ultimate in refinement and good taste) The brother and sister walked out arm in arm. "More coffee, monsieur?" Marcel asked. "Sure, thank you. Why not?" For the next twenty minutes Bruce sipped his coffee, bit into another Amandine and glanced through the newspaper. An article caught his eye about the painter Henri Matisse. It pointed out that the French artist had been honored with the grand prize at Venice's Art Festival. Matisse, a brilliant painter and sculptor, asked that his prize be shared with a colleague and friend, the sculptor Henri Laurens, who received little public recognition for his work. The article went on to point out that… The selection of the 81 year-old Matisse for the grand prize was applauded, although a number of artists and critics believed that the judges had overlooked Marc Chagall….while Matisse was working on his latest project, the decoration of the Dominican Chapel of the Rosary in Vence… Bruce made a mental note to visit the Chapel when he returned to nearby Nice. It was indeed a coup for the ailing Matisse. People would flock to this little known place for years. What a coup for Vence. Click here for Chapter 6.