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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Idol of Paris, by Sarah Bernhardt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
+other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
+the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
+to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
+
+Title: The Idol of Paris
+
+Author: Sarah Bernhardt
+
+Posting Date: September 13, 2014 [EBook #7075]
+Release Date: December, 2004
+First Posted: March 6, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IDOL OF PARIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne L. Shell, Charles Franks and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE IDOL OF PARIS
+
+
+
+
+by SARAH BERNHARDT
+
+1921
+(English Edition)
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+
+PART ONE: PARIS
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE
+
+CHAPTER TWO
+
+CHAPTER THREE
+
+CHAPTER FOUR
+
+CHAPTER FIVE
+
+CHAPTER SIX
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN
+
+
+
+PART TWO: BRUSSELS
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT
+
+CHAPTER NINE
+
+CHAPTER TEN
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN
+
+
+
+PART THREE: THE COUNTRY
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
+
+
+
+PART FOUR: THE CHATEAU
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY
+
+
+
+
+
+PART I. PARIS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+In the dining-room of a fine house on the Boulevard Raspail all the
+Darbois family were gathered together about the round table, on which
+a white oil cloth bordered with gold-medallioned portraits of the line
+of French kings served as table cover at family meals.
+
+The Darbois family consisted of Francois Darbois, professor of
+philosophy, a scholar of eminence and distinction; of Madame Darbois,
+his wife, a charming gentle little creature, without any pretentions;
+of Philippe Renaud, brother of Madame Darbois, an honest and able
+business man; of his son, Maurice Renaud, twenty-two and a painter, a
+fine youth filled with confidence because of the success he had just
+achieved at the last Salon; of a distant cousin, the family
+counsellor, a tyrannical landlord and self-centered bachelor, Adhemar
+Meydieux, and the child of whom he was godfather, and around whom all
+this particular little world revolved.
+
+Esperance Darbois, the only daughter of the philosopher, was fifteen
+years old. She was long and slim without being angular. The flower
+head that crowned this slender stem was exquisitely fair, with the
+fairness of a little child, soft pale-gold, fair. Her face had,
+indeed, no strictly sculptural beauty; her long flax-coloured eyes
+were not large, her nose had no special character; only her sensitive
+and clear-cut nostrils gave the pretty face its suggestion of ancient
+lineage. Her mouth was a little large, and her full red lips opened on
+singularly white teeth as even as almonds; while a low Grecian
+forehead and a neck graceful in every curve gave Esperance a total
+effect of aristocratic distinction that was beyond dispute. Her low
+vibrant voice produced an impression that was almost physical on those
+who heard it. Quite without intention, she introduced into every word
+she spoke several inflections which made her manner of pronounciation
+peculiarly her own.
+
+Esperance was kneeling on a chair, leaning upon her arms on the table.
+Her blue dress, cut like a blouse, was held in at the waist by a
+narrow girdle knotted loosely. Although the child was arguing
+vigorously, with intense animation, there was such grace in her
+gestures, such charming vibrations in her voice, that it was
+impossible to resent her combative attitude.
+
+"Papa, my dear papa," she was asserting to Francois Darbois, "You are
+saying to-day just the opposite of what you were saying the other day
+to mother at dinner."
+
+Her father raised his head. Her mother, on the contrary, dropped hers
+a little. "Pray Heaven," she was saying to herself, "that Francois
+does not get angry with her!"
+
+The godfather moved his chair forward; Philippe Renaud laughed;
+Maurice looked at his cousin with amazement.
+
+"What are you saying?" asked Francois Darbois.
+
+Esperance gazed at him tenderly. "You remember my godfather was dining
+with us and there had been a lot of talk; my godfather was against
+allowing any liberty to women, and he maintained that children have no
+right to choose their own careers, but must, without reasoning, give
+way to their parents, who alone are to decide their fates."
+
+Adhemar wished to take the floor and cleared his throat in
+preparation, but Francois Darbois, evidently a little nonplused,
+muttered, "And then after that--what are you coming to?"
+
+"To what you answered, papa."
+
+Her father looked at her a little anxiously, but she met his glance
+calmly and continued: "You said to my godfather, 'My dear Meydieux,
+you are absolutely mistaken. It is the right and the duty of everyone
+to select and to construct his future for himself.'"
+
+Darbois attempted to speak....
+
+"You even told mama, who had never known it, that grandfather wanted
+to place you in business, and that you rebelled."
+
+"Ah! rebelled," murmured Darbois, with a slight shrug.
+
+"Yes, rebelled. And you added, 'My father cut off my allowance for a
+year, but I stuck to it; I tutored poor students who couldn't get
+through their examinations, I lived from hand to mouth, but I did
+live, and I was able to continue my studies in philosophy.'"
+
+Uncle Renaud was openly nodding encouragement. Adhemar Meydieux rose
+heavily, and straightening up with a succession of jerky movements,
+caught himself squarely on his heels, and then, with great conviction,
+said: "See here, child, if I were your father, I should take you by
+the ear and put you out of the room."
+
+Esperance turned purple.
+
+"I repeat, children should obey without question!"
+
+"I hope to prove to my daughter by reasoning that she is probably
+wrong," said M. Darbois very quietly.
+
+"Not at all. You must order, not persuade."
+
+"Now, M. Meydieux," exclaimed the young painter, "it seems to me that
+you are going a little too far. Children should respect their parents'
+wishes as far as possible; but when it is a question of their own
+future, they have a right to present their side of the case. If my
+uncle Darbois's father had had his way, my uncle Darbois would
+probably now be a mediocre engineer, instead of the brilliant
+philosopher who is admired and recognized by the entire world."
+
+Gentle little Madame Darbois sat up proudly, and Esperance looked at
+her father with a world of tenderness in her eyes.
+
+"But, my lad," pursued Adhemar, swelling with conviction, "your uncle
+might well have made a fortune at machinery, while, as it is, he has
+just managed to exist."
+
+"We are very happy"--Madame Darbois slipped in her word.
+
+Esperance had bounded out of her chair, and from behind her father
+encircled his head with her arms. "Oh! yes, very happy," she murmured
+in a low voice, "and you would not, darling papa, spoil the harmony of
+our life together?"
+
+"Remember, my dear little Esperance, what I said to your mother
+concerned only men--now we are considering the future of a young girl,
+and that is a graver matter!"
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because men are better armed against the struggle, and life is, alas,
+one eternal combat."
+
+"The armour of the intellect is the same for a young girl as for a
+young man."
+
+Adhemar shook his shoulders impatiently. Seeing that he was getting
+angry and was like to explode, Esperance cried out, "Wait, godfather,
+you must let me try to convince my parents. Suppose, father, that I
+had chosen the same career as Maurice. What different armour should I
+need?"
+
+Francois listened to his daughter affectionately, drawing her closer
+to him. "Understand me, my dearie. I am not denying your wish as a
+proof of my parental authority. No, remember this is the second time
+that you have expressed your will in the matter of the choice of your
+career. The first time I asked you to consider it for six months: The
+six months having passed, you now place me under the obligation of--"
+
+"Oh! papa, what a horrid word!"
+
+"But that is it," he went on, playing with her pretty hair, "you have
+put me under the obligation of answering you definitely; and I have
+called this family council because I have not the courage, nor,
+perhaps, the right, to stand in your way--the way you wish to go."
+
+Adhemar made a violent effort to leap to his feet, declaiming in his
+heavy voice, "Yes, Francois, you must try and prevent her from going
+this way, the most evil, the most perilous above all, for a woman."
+
+Esperance began to tremble, but she stood resolutely away from her
+father, holding herself rigid with her arms hanging straight at her
+sides. The rose tint of her cheeks had disappeared and her blue eyes
+were dimmed with shadows.
+
+Maurice hastily made a number of sketches of her; never before had he
+found his cousin so interesting.
+
+Adhemar continued, "Pray allow me to proceed with what I have to say,
+my dear child. I have come from the country for this purpose, in
+answer to your father's summons. I wish to offer my experience for
+your protection. Your parents know nothing of life. Francois breathes
+the ether of a world peopled only by philosophers--whether dead or
+living, it makes little difference; your mother lives only for you
+two. I expressed at once my horror at the career that you have chosen,
+I expatiated upon all the dangers! You seem to have understood
+nothing, and your father, thanks to his philosophy, that least
+trustworthy of guides, continues futilely reasoning, for ever
+reasoning!"
+
+His harangue was cut short. Esperance's clear voice broke in, "I do
+not wish to hear you speak in this manner of my father, godfather,"
+she said coldly. "My father lives for my mother and me. He is good and
+generous. It is you who are the egoist, godfather!"
+
+Francois started as if to check his daughter, but she continued, "When
+mama was so sick, six years ago, papa sent me with Marguerite, our
+maid, to take a letter to you. I did so want to read that letter, it
+must have been so splendid.... You answered...."
+
+Adhemar tried to get in a word. Esperance in exasperation tapped the
+floor with her foot and rushed on, "You answered, 'Little one, you
+must tell your papa that I will give him all the advice he wants to
+help him out of this trouble, but it is a principle of mine never to
+lend money, above all to my good friends, for that always leads to a
+quarrel.' Then I left you and went to my Uncle Renaud, who gave me a
+great deal more even than we needed for mama."
+
+Big Renaud looked hot and uncomfortable. His son pressed his hand so
+affectionately under the table that the good man's eyes grew wet.
+
+"Ever since then, godfather, I have not cared for you any more."
+
+The atmosphere of the little room seemed suddenly to congeal. The
+silence was intense. Adhemar himself remained thunderstruck in his
+chair, his tongue dry, his thoughts chaotic, unable to form a reply to
+the child's virulent attack. For the sake of breaking up this general
+paralysis, Maurice Renaud finally suggested that they should vote upon
+the decision to be given to his brave little cousin.
+
+They gathered together around the table and began to talk in low
+tones. Esperance had sunk into a chair. Her face was very pale and
+great blue circles had appeared around her eyes. The discussion seemed
+to be once more in full swing when Maurice startled everyone by
+crying, "My God, Esperance is ill!"
+
+The child had fainted, and her head hung limply back. Her golden hair
+made an aureola of light around the colourless face with its dead
+white lips.
+
+Maurice raised the child in his arms, and Madame Darbois led him
+quickly to Esperance's little room where he laid the light form on its
+little bed. Francois Darbois moistened her temples quickly with Eau de
+Cologne. Madame Darbois supported Esperance's head, holding a little
+ether to her nose. As Maurice looked about the little room, as fresh,
+as white, as the two pots of marguerites on the mantel-shelf, an
+indefinable sentiment swelled up within him. Was it a kind of
+adoration for so much purity? Philippe Renaud had remained in the
+dining-room where he succeeded in keeping Adhemar, in spite of his
+efforts to follow the Darbois.
+
+Esperance opened her eyes and seeing beside her only her father and
+mother, those two beings whom she loved so deeply, so tenderly, she
+reached out her arms and drew close to her their beloved heads.
+Maurice had slipped out very quietly. "Papa dearie, Mama beloved,
+forgive me, it is not my fault," she sobbed.
+
+"Don't cry, my child, now, not a tear," cried Darbois, bending over
+his little girl. "It is settled, you shall be...." and the word was
+lost in her little ear.
+
+She went suddenly pink, and raising herself towards him, whispered her
+reply, "Oh! I thank you! How I love you both! Thank you! Thank you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+Esperance, left alone with her mother, drank the tea this tender
+parent brought to her, and the look of health began to come back to
+her face.
+
+"Then to-morrow, mother dearest, we must go and be registered for the
+examinations that are soon to be held at the Conservatoire."
+
+"You want to go to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, to-day we must stay with papa, mustn't we? He is so kind!"
+
+The two--mother and daughter--were silent a moment, occupied with the
+same tender thoughts.
+
+"And now we will persuade him to go out with us, shan't we, mother
+dear?"
+
+"That will be the very best thing for both of you," agreed Madame
+Darbois, and she went to make her preparations.
+
+Left alone, Esperance cast aside her blue dress and surveyed herself
+in the long mirror. Her eyes were asking the questions that perplexed
+her whole being. She raised herself lightly on her little feet. "Oh!
+yes, surely I am going to be tall. I am only fifteen, and I am quite
+tall for my age. Oh! yes, I shall be tall." She came very close to the
+mirror and examined herself closely, hypnotizing herself little by
+little. She beheld herself under a million different aspects. Her whole
+life seemed passing before her, shadowy figures came and went--one of
+them, the most persistent, seemed to keep stretching towards her long
+appealing arms. She shivered, recoiled abruptly, and passing her hand
+across her forehead, dispelled the dizzy visions that were gathering
+there.
+
+When her mother returned she found her quietly reading Victor Hugo,
+studying "_Dona Sol_" in _Hernani_. She had not heard the opening
+of the door, and she started at finding her mother close beside her.
+
+"You see, I am not going to lose any time," she said, closing the
+book. "Ah! mama, how happy I am, how happy!"
+
+"Quick," said her mother, her finger to her lips. "Your father is
+waiting for us, ready to go out."
+
+Esperance seized her hat and coat quickly and ran to join her father.
+He was sitting as if thinking, his head resting in his hands. She
+understood the struggle between love and reason in his soul, and her
+upright little soul suffered with his. Bending gently beside him she
+murmured, "Do not be unhappy, papa. You know that I can never suffer
+as long as I have you two. If I am quite mistaken, if life doesn't
+bring me any of the things that I expect, I shall find comfort in your
+love."
+
+Francois Darbois raised his head and looked deep into the lovely eyes,
+"God keep you, my little daughter!"
+
+Next morning Esperance was ready to go to the Conservatoire long
+before the appointed hour. M. Darbois was already in his study with
+one of his pupils, so she ran to her mother's room and found her busy
+with some papers.
+
+"You have my birth certificate?"
+
+"Yes, yes."
+
+"And papa's written consent?"
+
+"Yes, yes," sighed Madame Darbois.
+
+"He hesitated to give it to you?"
+
+"Oh! no, you know your father! His word is sacred, but it cost him a
+great deal. My dear little girl, never let him regret it."
+
+Esperance put her finger across her mother's lips. "Mama, you know
+that I am honest and honourable, how can I help it when I am the child
+of two darlings as good as you and papa? My longing for the theatre is
+stronger than I can tell. I believe that if papa had refused his
+permission, it would have made me unhappy and that I should have
+fallen ill and pined away. You remember how, about a year ago, I
+almost died of anaemia and consumption. Really, mother dear, my
+illness was simply caused by my overstrung nerves. I had often heard
+papa express his disapproval of the theatre; and you, you remember,
+said one day, in reference to the suicide of a well-known actress,
+'Ah, her poor mother, God keep me from seeing my daughter on the
+stage!'"
+
+Madame Darbois was silent for a moment; then two tears rolled quietly
+from beneath her eyelids and a little sob escaped her.
+
+"Ah! mama, mama," cried Esperance, "have pity, don't let me see you
+suffer so. I feared it; I did not want to be sure of it. I am an
+ungrateful daughter. You love me so much! You have indulged me so! I
+ought to give in. I can not, and your grief will kill me. I suffered
+so yesterday, out driving, feeling papa so far away. I kept feeling as
+if he were holding himself aloof in an effort to forget, and now you
+are crying.... Mama, it is terrible! I must make myself give you back
+your happiness--at least your peace of mind. Alas!--I can not give you
+back your happiness, for I think that I shall die if I cannot have my
+way."
+
+Madame Darbois trembled. She was familiar with her daughter's nervous,
+high-strung temperament. In a tone of more authority than Esperance
+had ever heard her use, "Come, child, be quick, we are losing time,"
+she said, "I have all the necessary papers, come."
+
+They found at the Conservatoire several women, who had arrived before
+them, waiting to have their daughters entered for the course. Four
+youths were standing in a separate group, staring at the young girls
+beside their mothers. In a corner of the room was a little office,
+where the official, charged with receiving applications, was
+ensconced. He was a man of fifty, gruff, jaundiced from liver trouble,
+looking down superciliously at the girls whose names he had just
+received. When Madame Darbois entered with Esperance, the
+distinguished manner of the two ladies caused a little stir. The group
+of young men drew nearer. Madame Darbois looked about, and seeing an
+empty bench near a window, went towards it with her daughter. The sun,
+falling upon Esperance's blonde hair, turned it suddenly into an
+aureola of gold. A murmur as of admiration broke from the spectators.
+
+"Now there is someone," murmured a big fat woman with her hands
+stuffed into white cotton gloves, "who may be sure of her future!"
+
+The official raised his head, dazzled by the radiant vision.
+Forgetting the lack of courtesy he had shown those who had preceded
+her, he advanced towards Madame Darbois and, raising his black velvet
+cap, "Do you wish to register for the entrance examinations?" he said
+to Esperance.
+
+She indicated her mother with an impatient movement of her little
+head. "Yes," said Madame Darbois, "but I come after these other
+people. I will wait my turn."
+
+The man shrugged his shoulders with an air of assurance. "Please
+follow me, ladies."
+
+They rose. A sound of discontent was audible.
+
+"Silence," cried the official in fury. "If I hear any more noise, I
+will turn you all out."
+
+Silence descended again. Many of these women had come a long way. A
+little dressmaker had left her workshop to bring her daughter. A big
+chambermaid had obtained the morning's leave from the bourgeois house
+where she worked. Her daughter stood beside her, a beautiful child of
+sixteen with colourless hair, impudent as a magpie. A music teacher
+with well-worn boots had excused herself from her pupils. Her two
+daughters flanked her to right and left, Parisian blossoms, pale and
+anaemic. Both wished to pass the entrance examinations, the one as an
+ingenue in comedy, the other in tragedy. They were neither comic nor
+tragic, but modest and charming. There was also a small shop-keeper,
+covered with jewels. She sat very rigid, far forward on the bench,
+compressed into a terrible corset which forced her breast and back
+into the humps of a punchinello; her legs hanging just short of the
+floor. Her daughter paced up and down the long room like a colt
+snorting impatiently to be put through its paces. She had the beauty
+of a classic type, without spot or blemish, but her joints looked too
+heavy and her neck was thrust without grace between her large
+shoulders. Anyone who looked into the future would have been able to
+predict for her, with some certainty, an honourable career as a
+tragedian in the provinces.
+
+Madame Darbois seated herself on the only chair in the little office.
+When the official had read Esperance's birth certificate, he
+exclaimed, "What! Mademoiselle is the daughter of the famous professor
+of philosophy?'"
+
+The two women looked at each other with amazement.
+
+"Why, ladies," went on the official, radiantly, "my son is taking
+courses with M. Darbois at the Sorbonne. What a pleasure it is to meet
+you--but how does it happen that M. Darbois has allowed...?" His
+sentence died in his throat. Madame Darbois had become very pale and
+her daughter's nostrils quivered. The official finished with his
+papers, returned them politely to Madame Darbois, and said in a low
+tone, "Have no anxiety, Madame, the little lady has a wonderful future
+before her."
+
+The two ladies thanked the official and made their way toward the
+door. The group of young men bowed to the young girl, and she inclined
+her head ever so slightly.
+
+"Oh, la-la," screamed the big chamber-maid.
+
+Esperance stopped on the threshold and looked directly at the woman,
+who blushed, and said nothing more.
+
+"Ho, ho," jeered one of the youths, "she settled you finely that time,
+didn't she?"
+
+An argument ensued instantly, but Esperance had gone her way,
+trembling with happiness. Everything in life seemed opening for her.
+For the first time she was aware of her own individuality; for the
+first time she recognized in herself a force: would that force work
+for creation or destruction? The child pressed her hands against her
+fluttering heart.
+
+M. Darbois was waiting at the window. At sight of him, Esperance
+jumped from the carriage before it stopped. "What a little creature of
+extremes!" mused the professor.
+
+When she threw her arms about him to thank him, he loosed her hands
+quickly. "Come, come, we haven't time to talk of that. We must sit
+down at once. Marguerite is scolding because the dinner is going to be
+spoiled."
+
+To Esperance the dinner was of less than no importance, but she threw
+aside her hat obediently, pulled forward her father's chair, and sat
+down between the two beings whom she adored, but whom she was forced
+to see suffer if she lived in her own joy--and that she could not, and
+would not, hide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+The weeks before the long-expected day of the examination went
+by all too slowly to suit Esperance. She had chosen, for the
+comedy test to study a scene from _Les Femmes Savantes_ (the
+role of "_Henriette_"), and in tragedy a scene from _Iphygenia_.
+Adhemar Meydieux often came to inquire about his goddaughter's
+studies. He wished to hear her recite, to give her advice; but
+Esperance refused energetically, still remembering his former
+opposition against him. She would let no one hear her recitations, but
+her mother. Madame Darbois put all her heart into her efforts to help
+her daughter. Every morning she went through her work with Esperance.
+To her the role of "_Henriette_" was inexplicable. She consulted
+her husband, who replied, "'_Henriette_' is a little philosopheress
+with plenty of sense. Esperance is right to have chosen this scene
+from _Les Femmes Savantes_. Moliere's genius has never exhibited
+finer raillery than in this play." And he enlarged upon the psychology
+of "_Henriette's_" character until Madame Darbois realized with surprise
+that her daughter was completely in accord with the ideas laid down
+by her father as to the interpretation of this role. Esperance was
+so young it seemed impossible that she could yet understand all the
+double subtleties....
+
+Esperance had taken her first communion when she was eleven, and after
+her religious studies ended, she had thought of nothing but poetry,
+and had even tried to compose some verses. Her father had encouraged
+her, and procured her a professor of literature. From that time the
+child had given herself completely to the art of the drama, learning
+by heart and reciting aloud the most beautiful parts of French
+literature. Her parents, listening with pleasure to her recitations of
+Ronsard or Victor Hugo, little guessing that the child was already
+dreaming of the theatre. Often since then, Madame Darbois had
+reproached herself for having foreseen so little, but her husband,
+whose wisdom recognized the uselessness of vain regrets, would calm
+her, saying with a shake of his head, "You can prevent nothing, my
+dear wife, destiny is a force against which all is impotent! We can
+but remove the stumbling-blocks from the path which Esperance must
+follow. We must be patient!"
+
+At last the day arrived! Never had the young girl been more charming.
+Francois Darbois had been working arduously on the correction of a
+book he was about to publish, when he saw her coming into his library.
+He turned towards her and, regarding her there in the doorway, seemed
+to see the archangel of victory--such radiance emanated from this frail
+little body.
+
+"I wanted to kiss you, father, before going ... there. Pardon me for
+having disturbed you." He pressed her close against his heart without
+speaking, unwilling to pronounce the words of regret that mounted to
+his lips.
+
+Esperance was silent for an instant before her father's grief: then
+with an exaltation of her whole being she flung herself on her
+father's neck: "Oh, father, dear father, I am so happy that you must
+not suffer; you love me so much that you must be happy in this
+happiness I owe to you; to-morrow, perhaps, will bring me tears. Let us
+live for to-day."
+
+The professor gently stroked his daughter's velvet cheek. "Go, my
+darling, go and return triumphant."
+
+In the reception-room Esperance and Madame Darbois went to the same
+bench, where they had sat upon their former visit. Some fifty people
+were assembled.
+
+The same official came to speak to them, and, consulting the list
+which he was holding ostentatiously, "There are still five pupils
+before you, Mademoiselle, two boys and three young ladies. Whom have
+you chosen to give you your cues?"
+
+Esperance looked at him with amazement. "I don't understand," she
+said, Madame Darbois was perturbed.
+
+"But," answered the man, "you must have an '_Armande_' for _Les Femmes
+Savantes_, an '_Agememnon_' and a '_Clytemnestra_' for _Iphygenia_."
+
+"But we did not know that," stammered Madame Darbois.
+
+The official smiled and assumed still more importance. "Wait just a
+moment, ladies." Soon he returned, leading a tall, young girl with a
+dignified bearing, and a young man of evident refinement. "Here is Mlle.
+Hardouin, who is willing to give you the cues for '_Armande_' and
+'_Clytemnestra_,' and M. Jean Perliez, who will do the '_Agememnon_.'
+Only, I believe," he added, "you will have to rehearse with them. I
+will take all four of you into my little office where no one can
+disturb you."
+
+Mlle. Hardouin was a beautiful, modest young girl of eighteen, with
+charming manners. She was an orphan and lived with a sister ten years
+older, who had been a mother to her. They adored each other. The older
+sister had established a good trade for herself as a dressmaker; both
+sisters were respected and loved.
+
+Jean Perliez was the son of a chemist. His father had been unwilling
+that he should choose a theatrical career until he should have
+completed his studies at college. He had obeyed, graduated
+brilliantly, and was now presenting himself for the entrance
+examination as a tragedian.
+
+The three young people went over the two scenes Esperance had chosen
+together.
+
+"What a pretty voice you have, Mademoiselle," said Genevieve Hardouin
+timidly.
+
+After the rehearsal of _Les Femmes Savantes_, when they finished the
+scene of _Iphygenia_, Jean Perliez turned to Madame Darbois and inquired
+the name of Esperance's instructor.
+
+"Why, she had none. My daughter has worked alone; I have given her the
+cues." She smiled that benevolent smile, which always lighted her
+features with a charm of true goodness and distinction.
+
+"That is indeed remarkable," murmured Jean Perliez, as he looked at
+the young girl. Then bending towards Madame Darbois, "May I be
+permitted, Madame, to ask your daughter to give me the cues of
+'_Junia_' in _Britannicus_? The young lady who was to have played it
+is ill."
+
+Madame Darbois hesitated to reply and looked towards Esperance.
+
+"Oh! yes, mama, of course you will let me," said that young lady, in
+great spirits. And without more ado, "We must rehearse, must we not?
+Let us begin at once."
+
+The young man offered her the lines. "I don't need them," she said
+laughing, "I know '_Junia_' by heart." And, indeed, the rehearsal
+passed off without a slip, and the little cast separated after
+exchanging the most enthusiastic expressions of pleasure.
+
+A comrade asked Perliez, "Is she any good, that pretty little blonde?"
+
+"Very good," Perliez replied curtly.
+
+Everything went well for Esperance. Her appearance on the miniature
+stage where the examinations were held caused a little sensation among
+the professor-judges.
+
+"What a heavenly child!" exclaimed Victorien Sardou.
+
+"Here is truly the beauty of a noble race," murmured Delaunay, the
+well-known member of the Comedie-Francaise.
+
+The musical purity of Esperance's voice roused the assembly
+immediately out of its torpor. The judges, no longer bored and
+indifferent, followed her words with breathless attention, and when
+she stopped a low murmur of admiration was wafted to her.
+
+"Scene from _Iphygenia_," rasped the voice of the man whose duty
+it was to make announcements. There was a sound of chairs being
+dragged forward, and the members of the jury settling themselves to
+the best advantage for listening. Here in itself was a miniature
+triumph, repressed by the dignity assumed by all the judges, but which
+Esperance appreciated none the less. She bowed with the sensitive
+grace characteristic of her. Genevieve Hardouin and Jean Perliez
+congratulated her with hearty pressures of the hand.
+
+As she was leaving Sardou stopped her in the vestibule. "Tell me,
+please, Mademoiselle, are you related to the professor of philosophy?"
+
+"He is my father," the girl answered very proudly.
+
+Delaunay had arisen. "You are the daughter of Francois Darbois! We
+are, indeed, proud to be able to present our compliments to you. You
+have an extraordinary father. Please tell him that his daughter has
+won every vote."
+
+Esperance read so much respect and sincerity in his expression that
+she curtsied as she replied, "My father will be very happy that these
+words have been spoken by anyone whom he admires as sincerely as M.
+Delaunay."
+
+Then she went quickly on her way.
+
+As soon as they were back on the Boulevard Raspail and home, Esperance
+and her mother moved towards the library. Marguerite, the maid,
+stopped them. "Monsieur has gone out. He was so restless. Is
+Mademoiselle satisfied?"
+
+"I was; but I am not any more, Marguerite, since papa is not here. Was
+he feeling badly?"
+
+"Well, he was not very cheerful, Mademoiselle, but I should not say
+that there was anything really the matter with him."
+
+Mother and daughter started. Someone was coming upstairs. Esperance
+ran to the door and fell into the arms of that dearly-loved parent. He
+kissed her tenderly. His eyes were damp.
+
+"Come, come, dear, that I may tell you...."
+
+"Your lunch is ready," announced Marguerite.
+
+"Thank you," replied Esperance; "papa, mama, and I, we are all dying
+of hunger."
+
+Madame Darbois gently removed her daughter's hat.
+
+"Please, dear papa, I want to tell you everything."
+
+"Too late, dear child, I know everything!"
+
+The two ladies seemed surprised. "But--? How?"
+
+"Through my friend, Victor Perliez, the chemist; who is, like me, a
+father who feels deeply about his child's choice of a career."
+
+Esperance made a little move.
+
+"No, little girl," went on Francois Darbois, "I do not want to cause
+you the least regret. Every now and then my innermost thoughts may
+escape me; but that will pass.... I know that you showed unusual
+simplicity as '_Henriette_,' and emotion as '_Iphygenia_.' Perliez's
+son, whom I used to know when he was no higher than that," he said,
+stretching out his hand, "was enthusiastic? He is, furthermore, a
+clever boy, who might have made something uncommon out of himself
+as a lawyer, perhaps. But--"
+
+"But, father dear, he will make a fine lawyer; he will have an
+influence in the theatre that will be more direct, more beneficial,
+more far-reaching, than at the Bar. Oh! but yes! You remember, don't
+you, mama, how disturbed you were by M. Dubare's plea on behalf of the
+assassin of Jeanne Verdier? Well, is it not noble to defend the poets,
+and introduce to the public all the new scientific and political
+ideas?"
+
+"Often wrong ideas," remarked Darbois.
+
+"That is perhaps true, but what of it? Have you not said a thousand
+times that discussion is the necessary soil for the development of new
+ideas?"
+
+The professor of philosophy looked at his daughter, realizing that
+every word he had spoken in her hearing, all the seed that he had cast
+to the wind, had taken root in her young mind.
+
+"But," inquired Madame Darbois, "where did you see M. Perliez?"
+
+The professor began to smile. "Outside the Conservatoire. Perliez and
+I ran into each other, both impelled by the same extreme anxiety
+towards the scene of our sacrifice. It is not really necessary to
+consult all the philosophical authorities on this subject of inanition
+of will," he added, wearily.
+
+"Oh! chocolate custard," cried out Esperance with rapture, "Marguerite
+is giving us a treat."
+
+"Yes, Mademoiselle, I knew very well...."
+
+A ring at the front door bell cut short her words. They listened
+silently, and heard the door open, and someone come in. Then the maid
+entered with a card.
+
+Francois Darbois rose at once. "I will see him in the salon," he said.
+
+He handed the card to his wife and went to meet his visitor. Esperance
+leaned towards her mother and read with her the celebrated name,
+"Victorien Sardou." Together they questioned the import of this visit,
+without being able to find any satisfactory explanation.
+
+When Francois entered the salon, Sardou was standing, his hands
+clasped behind him, examining through half-closed eyes a delicate
+pastel, signed Chaplain--a portrait of Madame Darbois at twenty. At
+the professor's entry, he turned round and exclaimed with the engaging
+friendliness that was one of his special charms, "What a very pretty
+thing, and what superb colour!"
+
+Then advancing, "It is to M. Francois Darbois that I have the pleasure
+of speaking, is it not?"
+
+He had not missed the formality in the surprise evinced by the
+professor as, without speaking, the professor bowed him towards a
+chair.
+
+"Let me say to begin with, my dear professor, that I am one of your
+most fervent followers. Your last book, _Philosophy is not
+Indifference_, is, in my opinion, a work of real beauty. Your
+doctrine does not discourage youth, and after reading your book, I
+decided to send my sons to your lectures."
+
+Francois Darbois thanked the great author. The ice was broken. They
+discussed Plato, Aristotle, Montaigne, Schaupenhauer, etc. Victorien
+Sardou heard the clock strike; he had lunched hastily and had to be
+back at the Conservatoire by two o'clock, as the jury still had to
+hear eleven pupils. He began laughing and talking very fast, in his
+habitual manner: "I must tell you, however, why I have come; your
+daughter, who passed her examination this morning, is very excellent.
+She has the making of a real artist; the voice, the smile, the grace,
+the distinction, the manner, the rhythm. This child of fifteen has
+every gift! I am now arranging a play for the Vaudeville. The
+principal role is that of a very young girl. Just at present there are
+only well-worn professionals in the theatre."
+
+He rose. "Will you trust your daughter to me? I promise her a good
+part, an engagement only for my play, and I assure you of her
+success."
+
+M. Darbois, in his amazement and in spite of the impatience of the
+academician, withheld his answer. "Pray permit me," he said, touching
+the bell, "to send for my daughter. It is with great anxiety, I admit
+to you, that I have given her permission to follow a theatrical
+career, so now I must consult her, while still trying to advise."
+
+Then to the maid, "Ask Madame and Mademoiselle to come here."
+
+Sardou came up to the professor and pressed his hand gratefully. "You
+are consistent with your principles. I congratulate you; that is very
+rare," he said.
+
+The two ladies came in.
+
+"Ah," he continued, glancing toward the pastel, after he had greeted
+Madame Darbois, "Here is the model of this beautiful portrait."
+
+The gracious lady flushed, a little embarrassed, but flattered. After
+the introduction, Sardou repeated his proposal to Esperance, who, with
+visible excitement, looked questioningly at her father.
+
+"It seems to me," said Madame Darbois, timidly, "that this is rather
+premature. Do you feel able to play so soon in a real theatre, before
+so many people?"
+
+"I feel ready for anything," said the radiant girl quickly, in a clear
+voice.
+
+Sardou raised his head and looked at her.
+
+"If you think, M. Sardou, that I can play the character, I shall be
+only too happy to try; the chance you give me seems to come from
+destiny. I must endeavour as soon as possible to appease my dear
+father for his regret for having given me my own way."
+
+Francois would have spoken, but she prevented him, drawing closer to
+him. "Oh, dear papa, in spite of yourself, I see this depression comes
+back to you. I want to succeed, and so drive away your heavy
+thoughts."
+
+"Then," said Sardou quickly, to relieve them all of the emotion they
+were feeling, "it is quite agreed." Turning to Madame Darbois, who was
+trembling, "Do not be alarmed, dear Madame; we still have six or eight
+months before the plan will be ready for realization, which I feel
+sure will be satisfactory to all of us. I see that you are ready to go
+out; are you returning to the Conservatoire?"
+
+"Yes," said Esperance, "I promised to give '_Junia's_' cues to M.
+Jean Perliez."
+
+"The son of another learned man! The Conservatoire is favoured to-day,"
+said Sardou. "I shall be pleased to escort you, Madame," he added,
+bowing politely to Madame Darbois, "and this child shall unfold to me
+on the way her ideas on the drama: they must be well worth hearing."
+
+It was already late. The two gentlemen shook hands, anticipating that,
+henceforth, they would meet as friends.
+
+When they had left him, Francois looked at the pastel, which he had
+not examined for a long time. The young girl smiled at him with that
+smile that had first charmed him. He saw himself asking M. de Gossec,
+a rich merchant, for the hand of his daughter Germaine. He brushed his
+hand across his forehead as if to remove the memory of the refusal he
+had received on that occasion: then he smiled at the new vision which
+rose before his imagination. He saw himself in the church of St.
+Germain des Pres, kneeling beside Germaine de Gossec, trembling with
+emotion and happiness. A cloud of sadness passed over his face: now he
+was following the hearse of his father-in-law, who had committed
+suicide, leaving behind him a load of debt. The philosopher's
+expression grew proud and fierce. The first thirteen years of his
+marriage had been devoted to paying off this debt: then came the death
+of the sister of M. de Gossec, leaving her niece eight hundred
+thousand francs, five hundred thousand of which had served to pay the
+debt. For the last four years the family had been living in this
+comfortable apartment on the Boulevard Raspail, very happy and without
+material worries: but how cruel those first thirteen years had been
+for this young woman! He gazed at the pastel for a long time, his eyes
+filling with tears. "Oh, my dear, dear wife!"
+
+In the carriage on the way to the Conservatoire the conversation was
+very animated. The dramatic author was listening with great interest
+while the young girl explained her theories on art and life. "What a
+strange little being," he thought, and his penetrating glance tried in
+vain to discover what weakness was most likely to attack this little
+creature who seemed so perfect.
+
+The carriage stopped at the Conservatoire. Jean Perliez was waiting at
+the foot of the stairs. At sight of them his face lighted up. "I was
+afraid that you had forgotten me in the joy of your success."
+
+The girl looked at him in amazement. "How could I forget when I had
+given my word?"
+
+"You know Victorien Sardou?"
+
+"Only to-day," said Esperance laughing; "yesterday we did not know
+him."
+
+They were back in the reception-room which was only a little less
+noisy than it was in the morning. Many candidates believed that they
+had been accepted; several had even received encouraging applause;
+others, who had been received in frigid silence, comforted themselves
+with the reflection that they had at least been allowed to finish.
+
+When Jean Perliez and Esperance entered the auditorium there was a
+flattering stir, as much in pleasure at seeing the young girl again,
+as in welcome to the future actor.
+
+"Scene from _Britannicus_, M. Jean Perliez, '_Nero_'; Mlle.
+Esperance Darbois, '_Junia_,'" proclaimed the usher.
+
+The scene was so very well enacted that a "Bravo" broke from the
+learned group around the table. Which one of the judges had not been
+able to contain his admiration? The young actors could not decide.
+Each one believed sincerely the success was due to the other. They
+congratulated each other with charming expressions of delight, and
+took each other by the hand.
+
+"We shall be good friends, shall we not, M. Perliez?" said Esperance.
+
+The young man turned quite red, and when Madame Darbois held out her
+hand to him, he kissed it politely, with the kiss he had not dared to
+give to Esperance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+Esperance having chosen the stage as her career, the whole household
+was more or less thrown into confusion. It became necessary to make
+several new arrangements. As Francois Darbois was not willing that his
+wife should accompany Esperance every day to the Conservatoire, it
+became quite a problem to find a suitable person to undertake this
+duty.
+
+For the first time in her life Madame Darbois had to endure
+humiliating refusals. The young widow of an officer was directed by a
+friend of the family to apply. She seemed a promising person.
+
+"You will have to be here every morning by nine," Madame Darbois said
+to her, "and you will be free every afternoon by four. The course is
+given in the morning, but twice a week there are classes also in the
+afternoon; on those days you will lunch with us."
+
+"And Sundays?"
+
+"Your Sundays will be your own. The Conservatoire has no classes on
+Sunday."
+
+"So I understand that you would employ me only to accompany your
+daughter to the Conservatoire, Madame!" said the officer's widow,
+dryly. "I shall be compelled to refuse your offer. I am unfortunately
+forced to work to support my two children, but I owe some respect to
+the name I bear. The Conservatoire is a place of perdition, and I am
+astonished," she added, "that the professor, who is so universally
+esteemed and respected, could have been able...."
+
+Madame Darbois rose to her feet. She was very pale. "It is not
+necessary for you to judge the actions of my husband, Madame. That is
+enough."
+
+When she was left alone Madame Darbois reflected sadly upon the
+narrow-mindedness of her fellow creatures. Then she reproached herself
+with her own inexperience that put her at the mercy of the first
+stupid prude she encountered. She was well aware that the
+Conservatoire was not supposed to be a centre of culture and
+education, but she had already observed the modesty and independence
+of several of the young girls there: the well-informed minds of most
+of the young men. Nevertheless, she had had her lesson, and was
+careful not to lay herself open to any new affront. After some
+consideration, she engaged a charming old lady, named Eleanore
+Frahender, who had been companion in a Russian family, and was now
+living in a convent in the Faubourg Saint-Germain, where only
+trustworthy guests could be received. The old lady loved art and
+poetry, and as soon as she had met Esperance, was full of enthusiasm
+for her new duties. The young girl and she agreed in many tastes, and
+very soon they were great friends.
+
+M. Darbois was quite contented with the arrangement, and could now
+attend to his work with complete tranquillity. Every morning the
+family gathered in the dining-room at half-past eight to take their
+coffee together. Esperance would recount all the little events of the
+day before and her studies for the day to come. Whenever she felt any
+doubt about an ambiguous phrase, she went at once to get her father's
+advice upon it. Sometimes Genevieve Hardouin would drop in to talk
+with her and Mlle. Frahender. Esperance adored Racine and refused to
+study Corneille, before whom Genevieve bowed in enthusiastic
+admiration.
+
+"He is superhuman," she exclaimed, fervently.
+
+"That is just what I reproach him for," returned Esperance. "Racine is
+human, that is why I love him. None of Corneille's heroines move me at
+all, and I loathe the sorrows of '_Phaedre_.'"
+
+"And '_Chimene_'?" asked Genevieve Hardouin.
+
+"'_Chimene_' has no interest for me. She never does as she
+wishes."
+
+"How feminine!" said the professor, gently.
+
+"Oh! you may be right, father dear, but grief is one and indivisible.
+Her father, cruelly killed by her lover, must kill her love for the
+lover, or else she does not love her father: and, that being the case,
+she doesn't interest me at all. She is a horrid girl." Tenderly she
+embraced her father, who could easily pardon her revolt against
+Corneille, because he shared her weakness for Racine.
+
+Several months after Esperance's most encouraging admission to the
+Conservatoire, Victorien Sardou wrote a note to Francois Darbois, with
+whom he had come to be warm friends, warning him that he was soon
+coming to lunch with them, to read his new play to the family.
+Esperance was wild with excitement. The time of waiting for the event
+seemed interminable to her. Her father tried in vain to calm her with
+philosophical reflections. Creature of feeling and impulse that she
+was, nothing could control her excitement.
+
+Sardou had also asked Francois Darbois to invite Mlle. Frahender,
+whose generous spirit and whose tact and judgment he much esteemed.
+The old lady arrived, carrying as usual the little box with the lace
+cap which she donned as soon as her bonnet was laid aside. On this
+great day the little cap was embellished by a mauve satin ribbon,
+contrasting charmingly with the silver of her hair.
+
+All through lunch Esperance was delightful. Her quick responses to
+Sardou's questions were amazing in their logic. The extreme purity of
+this young soul seeking self-expression so courageously, struck the
+two men with particular emphasis.
+
+The reading was a great success. The part intended for Esperance, the
+young girl's part, the heroine of the piece, had become of primary
+importance. Sardou had been able to study Esperance's qualifications
+during the months he had been a frequent visitor at the Darbois's
+home, and he had made the most of his prescience.
+
+Lack of experience of the theatre, so natural in a child of sixteen,
+suggested several scenes of pure comedy. Then, as the drama developed,
+the author had heightened the intensity of the role by several scenes
+of real pathos, relying completely on Esperance to interpret them for
+him. Quite overcome by the death of the heroine she was to
+impersonate, she thanked the author, with tears streaming down her
+cheeks, her hands icy, her heart beating so furiously that the linen
+of her white blouse rose and fell.
+
+"It is rather I who shall be thanking you the day of the first
+production," said Sardou much touched, as he wrapped round his neck
+the large, white square he always wore. "I believe that to-day has not
+been wasted."
+
+The rehearsals began. Sardou had asked for and obtained from the
+Conservatoire six months leave for his young protegee, but Esperance
+would on no account consent to give up her classes. The only
+concession she would make was to give up the afternoon classes twice a
+week.
+
+The press began to notice this infant prodigy, who wished to remain
+quite unheralded until her debut. Francois Darbois, in spite of his
+friendship with several journalists, could not make them adhere to
+their promises of silence, and when he complained bitterly to the head
+of a great daily, "But, my friend," the editor rejoined, "that
+daughter of yours is particularly fascinating, and certainly when you
+launched her into this whirlpool, you should have remembered that the
+only exits are triumph or despair!"
+
+The philosopher grew pale.
+
+"I believe," went on his friend, "that this child will vanquish every
+obstacle by the force of her will, will stifle all jealousies by the
+grace of her purity, and she already belongs to the public, while the
+fame of your name has simply served for a stepping-stone. You, in your
+wisdom, have been able to impart true wisdom to your child. But before
+the public has ever seen her she is famous, and Sardou affirms that
+the day after her appearance she will be the idol of all Paris. I owe
+it to the profession of journalism to write her up in my paper, and I
+am doing it, you must admit, with the utmost reserve."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+And so at last the day of the performance came. Esperance, who was so
+easily shaken by the ordinary events of life, met any danger or great
+event quite calmly. For this young girl, so delicately fair, so frail
+of frame, possessed the soul of a warrior.
+
+The sale of tickets had opened eight days in advance. The agents had
+realized big profits. The first night always creates a sensation in
+Paris. All the social celebrities were in the audience: and, what is
+less usual, many "intellectuals." They wished to testify by their
+presence their friendship for Francois Darbois, and to protest against
+certain journalists, who had not hesitated to say in print that such a
+furore about an actress (poor Esperance) was prejudicial to the
+dignity of philosophy.
+
+In a box was the Minister of Belgium, who had been married lately, and
+wanted to show his young wife a "first night" in Paris. The First
+Secretary of the Legation was sitting behind the Minister's wife.
+
+"Look there, that is Count Albert Styvens," said a journalist,
+pointing out the Secretary to his neighbour, a young beauty in a very
+_decolletee_ gown.
+
+The neighbour laughed. "Is he as reserved and as serious as he looks?"
+she inquired.
+
+"So they say."
+
+"Poor fellow," answered the pretty woman, with affected pity,
+examining him through her opera glasses.
+
+Sardou, behind the scenes, was coming and going, arranging a chair,
+changing the position of a table, catching his foot in a carpet,
+swearing, nervous in the extreme. He made a hundred suggestions to the
+manager, which were received with weariness. He entered into
+conversation with the firemen. "Watch and listen, won't you, so that
+you can give me your impression after the first act?" For Sardou
+always preferred the spontaneous expressions of workmen and common
+people to the compliments of his own _confreres_.
+
+The distant skurry in the wings that always precedes the raising of
+the curtain was audible on the stage. This rattling of properties is
+very noticeable to actors new to the theatre, though it is quite
+unsuspected by the general public.
+
+The first act began. The audience was sympathetic, but impatient.
+However, the author knew his public, knew when to spring his
+surprises, how to hold the emotion in reserve until a climax of
+applause at the final triumph.
+
+Esperance made her first entrance, laughing and graceful, as her role
+demanded. A murmur of admiration mounted from the orchestra to the
+balcony. Hers was such startling, such radiant fairness! Her musical,
+fluting voice acted like as a strange enchantment on the astonished
+audience. From the first moment the public was hers. The critic
+touched his neighbour's elbow. "Look at Count Albert, he seems
+stunned!"
+
+As the Count leaned forward to watch more intently: "Great Heavens, do
+you suppose he will fall in love with her, do you believe he will
+really care for that little thing?" murmured the woman, mockingly.
+
+The curtain fell amidst a shower of "Bravos." Esperance had to return
+three times before the public, which continued to applaud her
+unstintedly, as she smiled and blushed under her make-up. In spite of
+fifteen minutes' waiting, the intermission did not seem long. The
+occupants of the boxes were busy exchanging calls.
+
+"She is perfectly adorable, she takes your breath. Just think of it,
+only sixteen and a half!"
+
+"Do you think it is a wig?"
+
+"Oh! no, that is her own hair--but what a revelation of loveliness!
+And what a carriage!"
+
+"But her voice above all! I do not think that I have ever heard such
+declamation!"
+
+"She is still at the Conservatoire?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The Theatre-Francaise ought to engage her immediately. They would
+find it would at once increase their subscription list."
+
+"They say that her father is very much distressed to see her in the
+theatre. Why there they are, the Darbois. Don't you see them, in that
+box far back? They are looking very pleased."
+
+A tall, pale man passed by.
+
+"Ah! there goes Count Styvens. Have you read the article he wrote in
+the _Debats_ this morning?"
+
+"No, he puts me to sleep."
+
+"I read it; it was rather unusual."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"About the fecundity of the pollen of flowers."
+
+The chatter ceased. The count was within hearing.
+
+"What have you to say about Esperance Darbois?" inquired a young lady.
+
+The count blushed vividly, an unaccustomed light gleaming in his clear
+eyes. "It is too soon to pass judgment yet," he said, losing himself
+in the throng again.
+
+In the Darbois's box there was a constant coming and going of friends.
+Jean Perliez joined them, his face betraying a conflict of emotions
+that were not lost on the father of Esperance.
+
+"Did you see my daughter?"
+
+"Yes. I just went to congratulate her."
+
+"How did you find her?"
+
+"Amazing! She is splendid, but not vain. She seems sure of herself and
+at the same time shows a little stage fright, a special variety which
+makes her hands like ice, and tightens her throat, as you must have
+noticed from the strain in her first speeches."
+
+"Indeed I noticed it, and was a little frightened," said Mlle.
+Frahender.
+
+"I know," said Jean Perliez, "but we need not be worried. It does not
+affect her powers and the force of her decision. She is invincible."
+
+He heaved a deep sigh and withdrew into a corner to hide the emotion
+which was choking him. Francois Darbois had divined the fervent love
+this youth felt for his daughter, and understood the sufferings of
+this timid love which dared not declare itself lest it be repulsed.
+However, the chemist, the father of this young man, occupied a
+respected position as a well-to-do man, with an unblemished
+reputation. Why should he not declare himself, or at least try to find
+some encouragement? Francois Darbois would have been well contented
+with this marriage. Esperance was still too young, but, once engaged,
+they could wait awhile. He secretly took cognizance of Jean Perliez's
+sufferings, and a wave of pity surged up in his heart. "I will have to
+speak to him myself," he thought.
+
+The curtain went up, disclosing Esperance, a book in her hand, her
+back to the public. She was not reading. That was evident from the
+weary droop of her body, from the rigid gaze into space. A coming
+storm was heralded by her quick motion, when she sprang up, threw
+aside her book, shook the pretty head to drive away the black
+butterflies in her brain, and ran to kiss her stage mother, who was
+playing Bridge with the villainess of the piece. There was such
+spontaneity in her movements that the sympathetic audience cried out,
+"Bravo!"
+
+In the course of the act, Esperance secured several salvos of
+applause. The sustained emotion of the grief that overwhelmed her and
+the spasm of weeping which closed the act gave the young artist
+complete assurance of the public's earnest approval.
+
+
+Sardou had dropped into the box of the Minister Plenipotentiary. He
+hid himself from the public, but sought the opinion of his great
+friend.
+
+"Will you," asked the Minister, "present me to your young heroine?"
+
+"Oh! let me come with you," besought his wife.
+
+The Belgian Prince looked questioningly at Sardou, and at his nod of
+acquiescence they prepared to go and salute the new star just risen in
+the Parisian firmament.
+
+"Come with us, my dear Count."
+
+Albert Styvens became livid, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead, a
+polite phrase died in his throat. He rose to his feet and followed the
+Prince of Bernecourt.
+
+The little reception-room next to Esperance's dressing-room was full
+of flowers, but no one was there. The manager and author had agreed
+that no stranger should approach the young artist. Only the family,
+Jean Perliez and Mlle. Frahender were allowed to enter. This good old
+soul was with Esperance now, as was Marguerite, who was not willing to
+leave her young mistress.
+
+Sardou knocked. "Let me know, my dear child, when you are ready."
+
+The door opened almost immediately, and the young girl rushed joyfully
+out into the little room. She stopped short upon seeing three
+strangers, and her eyes sought Sardou's, full of startled surprise.
+
+"I have taken the liberty of disturbing you, little friend.... I want
+to present you to the Princess de Bernecourt."
+
+Esperance curtsied with pretty grace. The Minister-Prince complimented
+her graciously; he was a dilettante, who could express himself most
+charmingly, in well chosen, artistic terms.
+
+"Your Excellency overcomes me," said the young actress. "I shall do my
+best to deserve your kindness."
+
+With a quick movement she re-adjusted her tulle scarf on her shoulders
+and blushed a little. The Minister turned and saw Albert Styvens
+standing with nervous interest--gazing like one bewitched at the
+enchanting maiden.
+
+"Let me present to you Count Albert Styvens."
+
+Esperance inclined her head a little and drew instinctively nearer to
+Mlle. Frahender.
+
+The Count had not moved. The Prince led him away as soon as he had
+made his adieux to the young girl and the elder lady.
+
+"Are you ill or insane?" he asked his Secretary.
+
+"Insane, yes; I think I must be going insane," murmured the young man
+in a choking voice.
+
+The play was in four acts, there were still two to come. The audience
+seemed to watch in a delirium of delight, and when the last curtain
+dropped, they called Esperance back eight times, and demanded the
+author.
+
+In spite of all the talent displayed by Sardou as author, there was
+much enthusiasm and an unconscious gratitude in him as the discoverer
+of a new sensation.... No comet acclaimed by astronomers as capable of
+doubling the harvest would have moved the populace as did the
+description in all the papers of this new star in Paris.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+The family found itself back on the Boulevard Raspail. The Darbois had
+not cared to leave their box. After every act, Mlle. Frahender carried
+their comments and tender messages to Esperance. Francois Darbois had
+great difficulty in constraining himself to remain in the noisy
+vestibule. He suffered too acutely at seeing his daughter, that pure
+and delicate child, the focus of every lorgnette, the subject of every
+conversation. Several phrases he had overheard from a group of men had
+brought him to his feet in a frenzy; then he fell back in his place
+like one stunned. Nevertheless there had not been one offensive word.
+It was all praise.
+
+The philosopher held his daughter in his arms, pressed close against
+his heart, and tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+"It is the first time, and shall be the last, that I wish to see you
+on the stage, dear little daughter. It is too painful for me, and what
+is worst of all I fear it will take you away from me."
+
+Esperance replied trembling, "Pardon me, Oh! pardon me, it is such a
+force that impels me. I am sorry you suffer so. Oh! don't give way, I
+beg of you!"
+
+She fell on her knees before her father, sobbing and kissing his
+hands.
+
+Sardou, who was expected, came in just then, and his exuberance was
+dashed to the ground when he witnessed the trouble the family were in.
+
+"Come, this is foolishness," he said, helping Esperance to her feet.
+
+Then turning to the old Mademoiselle, "Here, dear lady, take this
+child away to compose herself, wash the tears off her poor little
+face, and hurry back, for I am dying of hunger."
+
+Madame Darbois remembered that she was the hostess, and disappeared to
+see if everything was ready in the dining-room.
+
+ As soon as he was left alone with the philosopher, the author
+exclaimed, "In the name of God, man, is this where philosophy leads
+you? You are torturing that child whom you adore! Oh! yes, you are
+distressed, I know. The public has this evening taken possession of
+your daughter, but you are powerless to prevent it, and now is the time
+for you to apply to yourself your magnetic maxims. Esperance is one of
+those creatures who are only born once in a hundred years or so; some
+come as preservers, like Joan of Arc; others serve as instruments of
+vengeance of some occult power" (Sardou was an ardent believer in the
+occult). "Your child is a force of nature, and nothing can prevent her
+destiny. The fact that you have seen her brilliant development in spite
+of the grey environment of her first sixteen years, should convince you
+of the uselessness of your protests or regrets. The career that she has
+chosen is bristling with dangers, and full of disillusions, and gives
+free rein to a pitiless horde of calumniators. That cannot be helped.
+Your task, my friend," he added more calmly, "is to protect your
+daughter, and above all to assure her of a refuge of tenderness, and
+love and understanding."
+
+Esperance came back, followed by her mother and the old Mademoiselle.
+Her father held out his arms to her and whispered, "You were
+wonderful, darling; I am happy to...."
+
+He could not go on, and put his hot lips against her beautiful pure
+forehead to avoid the embarrassment that distressed him so powerfully.
+
+Thanks to Sardou's gifts as a _raconteur_, the supper passed off
+pleasantly enough. This great man could unfold the varied pages of his
+mind with disconcerting ease. He knew everything, and could talk and
+act with inimitable vivacity. His anecdotes were always instructive,
+drawn from his manifold sources of knowledge in art or science. Mlle.
+Frahender was stupified by so much eclecticism, the philosopher forgot
+his grief, Madame Darbois realized for the first time that there might
+exist a brain worthy of comparison with her husband's. As to
+Esperance, she was living in a dream of what the future would unfold.
+One evening had sufficed for her to conquer Paris, to capture the
+provinces, and arouse the foreigner, frequently so indifferent to
+great artistic achievements.
+
+The young pupil pursued her courses at the Conservatoire, in spite of
+Sardou's remonstrances that she would find it fatiguing. The modesty
+and simplicity of her return to the midst of her comrades restored her
+to the popularity her triumph had endangered.
+
+"She is, you know, quite a 'sport,'" pronounced a sharp young person,
+who was destined to take the parts of the aggressive modern female.
+
+A tall young man, with a grave face and settled manner, approaching
+baldness, in spite of his twenty-three years, pressed Jean Perliez's
+hand affectionately. "Don't give in, old fellow, keep up hope. You
+never know!"
+
+Jean smiled sadly, shaking his head. He looked at Esperance, who was
+lovelier than ever. He had waited for her at the foot of the stairway,
+for the intimacy of the two families gave him a chance to know when to
+expect his glorious little friend.
+
+"Why, how pale you are, Jean!" she exclaimed at sight of him. "What is
+the matter with you?"
+
+"What is the matter with me?" he murmured.
+
+"What is the matter with him?" echoed several of the students.
+
+Esperance alone was not aware what was the matter with him, poor
+fellow, for, in spite of the encouragement of Francois Darbois, Jean
+would say nothing. He realized the shock that it would be to
+Esperance. She liked him so much as a friend! On the long walks they
+took, with Genevieve Hardouin and Mlle. Frahender, she had very often
+frankly confided to him that she did not want to think about getting
+married for years and years!
+
+"I want to live for my art," she would say, "and I will never marry an
+artist!"
+
+He had then thought very seriously of giving up the theatre and
+becoming a barrister, as his father had always wished him to do, but
+that would mean that he would lose the chance of seeing Esperance so
+often.
+
+Jean Perliez had become great friends with Maurice Renaud, the girl's
+cousin. They both talked of her and loved her, but Maurice's love was
+more selfish, less deeply rooted. He was not jealous of Perliez; he
+was sorry for him and counselled him to speak up, since his uncle, the
+professor, was in sympathy with him.
+
+"No," said Jean, "she is really too young to understand."
+
+Maurice shrugged his shoulders. "It is true that Esperance is not yet
+seventeen, but her intelligence has always been ahead of her years. At
+twelve she could outdo me by the logic of her reasoning on the
+mysteries of religion. We both adore, my dear Jean, a very
+extraordinary little person. I will get out of your way gracefully, if
+you succeed; but I have a presentiment that neither you nor I will be
+the lucky fellow. I shall console myself, but you, take care!"
+
+Esperance suspected nothing of the different emotions she was causing.
+Her youth guarded her against any betrayal of the senses. She thought
+that love was the natural result of marriage. The great passions as
+the poets sang them exalted her spirit, made her heart beat faster,
+but for her they remained in the realms of the ideal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+A horrible catastrophe occurred in Belgium, leaving the inhabitants of
+the lower quarter of Brussels without shelter or clothing. Relief was
+organized on all sides, and the Theatre-Francaise announced a great
+representation of _Hernani_ to be given as a benefit for the
+sufferers in the Royal Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels. The star who
+had undertaken "_Dona Sol_" fell ill ten days before the performance
+was due. The Comedie was much embarrassed, for the usual understudy
+of the indisposed actress was an amiable echo, with little talent.
+Mounet-Sully thought immediately of Esperance and obtained permission
+to make whatever arrangements he could with her. His arrival at the
+Darbois home occasioned great excitement.
+
+"I claim your indulgence in the name of charity, Monsieur," he said to
+Francois. "The Comedie-Francaise finds itself in the most awkward
+quandary. We have prepared a big gala performance at La Monnaie, to
+raise money for all those poor Belgian sufferers."
+
+"Oh! I have seen the notices," said Esperance, "with artistes of the
+Comedie, even in the smaller roles. What would I not give to see that
+production!"
+
+Mounet-Sully smiled. "If your father will give his permission,
+Mademoiselle, you can certainly see it; for I have come to ask you to
+take part therein."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked M. Darbois curiously.
+
+"Our '_Dona Sol_' is sick, very sick, and her understudy is not
+equal to such an occasion. The last examination you passed in
+_Hernani_ delighted us with your manner of interpreting the role.
+We will give you all the rehearsals you need at the Comedie; you will
+be assisting at a work of charity, and you will be recompensed for
+whatever outlay or expense that you may incur."
+
+Esperance drew herself up. "If my father will give his consent for me
+to make my own reply...."
+
+"Yes," said the professor simply.
+
+"Then I will say ... thank you, father dear," she said, tremulously,
+"I will say that I am happier than I can possibly tell you, at the
+great honour you have done me, but that I do not want any recompense."
+
+Mounet-Sully started to speak.
+
+"Oh! no, I beg you, do not spoil my joy."
+
+"Then, we will take care of your travelling expenses, and those of
+your party."
+
+She contracted her beautiful eyebrows a little. "Oh! M. Mounet-Sully,
+I am rich just now, think of all the money that I have made these four
+months that we have been giving Victorien Sardou's play. I don't want
+anything, I am glad, so glad...."
+
+She kissed her father and her mother impulsively, and also the
+astonished old Mademoiselle.
+
+"What about me?" asked Mounet-Sully gaily; "do I not get my reward?"
+
+She held up her forehead for a salutation from the artist, who took
+leave of the family, glowing with delight at the good news he had to
+carry back to the Comedie.
+
+"To-morrow you will get a schedule of rehearsals," he called from the
+doorway.
+
+Madame Darbois was worried about the journey, and Mlle. Frahender
+agreed to accompany Esperance. It was decided that Marguerite should
+go to look after them. The faithful soul had practically brought up
+the child; her zeal and devotion were unfailing.
+
+But M. Darbois raised the objection, "You should have a man with you."
+
+The door bell rang, then they heard a voice, "In the salon? Don't
+bother to announce me, I'll go up!"
+
+Maurice Renaud entered immediately, followed by Jean Perliez.
+
+"Well, my boy," said Francois Darbois to his nephew, "you are quite a
+stranger; it must be a month since we saw you last. You are most
+welcome."
+
+He shook hands cordially with both young men. He was struck by Jean's
+sad expression and hollow cheeks. "You are not looking like yourself,
+my friend."
+
+Jean did not hear this, he was gazing at Esperance, so pretty in her
+feather toque.
+
+"We are come, uncle, expressly to ask your permission to accompany
+my cousin to Brussels. We were told of the project yesterday by
+Mounet-Sully, and if you approve...."
+
+"On my word, my dear fellow," cried out the professor, delightedly,
+"you will do me a real service, I was just considering about writing
+to Esperance's godfather!"
+
+"What a narrow escape! papa darling, and what a horrid surprise you
+were plotting without giving any sign!"
+
+"Then you prefer this arrangement? You accept Maurice and Jean as your
+knights-errant? I am delighted with the arrangement, and I hope that
+Mlle. Frahender will raise no objection."
+
+The gentle old lady smiled at them all. She was very fond of Jean
+Perliez, and Maurice Renaud's high spirits delighted her.
+
+It was decided that Jean, as most responsible, should be in charge of
+all the details of the journey. Francois Darbois led him into the
+library and entrusted him with a goodly sum of money.
+
+"This should cover your expenses. I count upon you, my young friend,
+and I thank you."
+
+He paused a moment, then asked affectionately, "Have you no hope?"
+
+"None," replied Jean, simply, "but what does it matter, but to-day, at
+least, I am quite happy!"
+
+Two days after this visit, the notice of the first rehearsals was
+received. Esperance was at the theatre long before the hour required,
+and went at once towards the stage. The curtain had just been raised,
+and the lamp of the servant dusting served only to lighten the gloom.
+Followed by Mlle. Frahender, the young girl traversed the corridor
+ornamented with marble busts and pictures of the famous artists who
+had made the house of Moliere more illustrious by their talent. With
+beating heart, she descended the four steps that led to the stage.
+
+There she stopped shivering. She seemed to see shadows drawing near
+her, and her hand clenched that of the old Mademoiselle.
+
+"What is it, Esperance?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing."
+
+"Was that not Talma, down there, and Mlle. Clairon and Mlle. Mars, and
+Rachel, that magnificent, expressive masque there ... look?"
+
+Mounet-Sully came in. Esperance still seemed in a dream.
+
+"Your pardon, master, the atmosphere of glory that one breathes here
+has intoxicated me a little."
+
+During the rehearsal the music of the voice of the new "_Dona
+Sol_" blended charmingly with the powerful accents of the great
+actor, so that all the artists listened with emotion and delight.
+
+In the final act, when "_Dona Sol_," beside herself, raises her
+poignard to "_Don Ruy Gomez_," saying, "I am of the family,
+uncle," there was an outburst of "Bravos" for Esperance, who, erect
+and trembling, shoulders thrown back, had just sobbed these words in
+a vibrant voice between clenched teeth. With her pale face and
+out-stretched arm, she might have been the statue of despair
+struggling with destiny.
+
+Madame Darbois was heavy hearted to have her go. It was the first time
+that she had been parted from her daughter for even a few days. She
+often looked at her husband, hoping that he would understand her
+anxiety and urge her not to go, too. Jean and Maurice came to escort
+Esperance, who had been ready for a long time. Mlle. Frahender was
+carrying a cardboard box, containing two bonnets and a light cloth, in
+which to wrap her hat in in the train. All the rest of her belongings
+were contained in a little attache case of grey duck, so flat that it
+seemed impossible that it could contain anything.
+
+When Madame Darbois saw them drive away, she was filled with distress,
+and as there was maternal anxiety in the mother's breast, so was there
+foreboding of evil in the father's mind.
+
+"I hope nothing bad will happen," thought the good woman, "but railway
+accidents are so common nowadays."
+
+"Who will she be seeing while she is away? What is destiny providing
+for her? My child is not armed against adventure," the philosopher was
+thinking.
+
+The two looked at each other, divining the miserable anxiety to which
+the other was prey.
+
+The rough, strident notes of Adhemar Meydieux's voice suddenly broke
+upon this atmosphere of gentle melancholy--"Well! what is this I hear?
+Esperance has gone; it is madness! I read in my paper this morning
+that she is going to play '_Dona Sol_' at Brussels! So I have
+come to escort her."
+
+Francois wrung his hand without saying a word.
+
+"What is the matter with you," went on Adhemar, "you seem to have
+changed into pillars of salt. I know very well that the theatre is
+Sodom and Gomorrah in one, but wait a little before you give way
+entirely! Who is going with my goddaughter?"
+
+"Mlle. Frahender, Marguerite, Maurice Renaud and Jean Perliez," the
+poor mother hastened to say.
+
+"And what an escort," jeered Adhemar. "The old mademoiselle will be
+open-mouthed before her pupil, she knows nothing of life. Provided
+that Esperance obeys the commandments of the Church and does not miss
+Mass on Sunday, she will be satisfied. Her piety and her sudden love
+of the theatre coincide with her attempt to save a soul; but I tell
+you that she cannot see farther than the end of her nose, which,
+though long enough in all conscience, doesn't furnish elevation for
+much view. And," he continued, pleased with his wit, "Maurice Renaud,
+that wild rascal, is he apt to inspire respect for Esperance? As to
+Jean Perliez, the poor little ninny is head over heels in love with
+her. I don't suppose that you have noticed it?"
+
+"Not only noticed it, but encouraged the young man," said Francois,
+"and he would be a very honourable and desirable son-in-law."
+
+"My poor friend, my good fellow," and Adhemar collapsed in a chair and
+rubbed his hands together; "my poor dear friend, and you believe that
+Esperance...?"
+
+He laughed aloud.
+
+"I will thank you to drop that tone of irony which is offensive both
+to my wife and to myself," said the professor rising. "If it pleases
+you to follow your goddaughter to Brussels, do so. I must leave you; I
+have some proofs to correct. _Au revoir_, Meydieux!"
+
+The old blunderer began to realize that he had overstepped the limits
+of decorum.
+
+"But why did she go this morning, instead of by the train with all the
+other artists this evening?"
+
+"Esperance," explained Madame Darbois, "left early in order to have
+time to see Brussels, which everyone says is a charming city. I think
+it is quite natural, my dear Meydieux, that you want to join your
+goddaughter! I will telegraph to her at once!"
+
+"No, no," replied Meydieux, very hurriedly. "I would much rather
+surprise her. I beg you not to warn her."
+
+"As you will then. I shall not interfere."
+
+
+
+
+
+PART II. BRUSSELS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+Meantime seated in the Brussels express, Esperance had fixed her
+attention on the constantly changing horizon, and was giving herself
+up to myriad impressions as they went fleeting by. The great plains
+rolling interminably out of sight pleased her; the light mist rising
+from the earth seemed to her the breath of the shivering tall grasses,
+offering the sun the drops of dew which glinted at the summit of their
+slender stems. She too, on this beautiful autumn morning, felt herself
+expanding towards the sky. Her fresh lips were offering themselves to
+the kisses of life. She was at that moment a vision of the radiance of
+youth. Maurice was so struck by her beauty that he drew a little
+sketch, and resolved to do her portrait, just as she was at that
+moment. No love entered into this admiration; he saw as a painter, he
+dreamed as an artist! Jean Perliez looked at the sketch, then at the
+model, and was left dazzled and dolorous. Finally magnetized by the
+looks fixed upon her, Esperance turned her head away with a little cry
+of surprise. Mlle. Frahender, who had been asleep, opened her eyes,
+and straightened the angle of her bonnet. Esperance shook her pretty
+head laughing, while Maurice exhibited his sketch and announced to his
+cousin his desire to paint her portrait.
+
+"How pleased my father will be," she cried. "I thank you in advance
+for the joy that you will give him."
+
+The conversation became general, animated, merry, just what was to be
+expected at their happy age. Soon after the train stopped; they had
+arrived at Brussels.
+
+Jean Perliez jumped lightly on to the platform. Mlle. Frahender
+adjusted her hat, after having carefully folded up her bonnet, and
+Maurice helped Marguerite to count the pieces of luggage. Just as
+Esperance was getting out to help her old companion, she had a feeling
+of reaction, her face grew pale with fright at an impression she could
+not define: two long arms were stretched towards her. And she recalled
+the hallucination or vision she had seen in her own mirror at home, on
+the day when she had tried to interrogate destiny.
+
+Count Albert Styvens was standing on the platform before her, holding
+out his arms, his hands open. Totally dazed without understanding
+herself why it should be so, the young girl closed her eyes. She felt
+herself lifted, and set down upon the ground. Although the movement
+had been one of perfect respect, she felt angry with this man for
+having imposed his will upon her. When she looked at him he was
+already speaking to Mlle. Frahender, whom he recollected having seen
+in Esperance's room at the Vaudeville.
+
+"Will you not both take my mother's carriage?" he asked.
+
+His voice, slow, correct, a little distant, fell on the ear of the
+young actress.
+
+"But," Jean objected quickly, "I have engaged the landau from the
+Grand Hotel."
+
+"Very well, we three can go in that," said the Count, as he guided the
+old lady and the young one towards a perfectly appointed _coupe_,
+drawn by two magnificent sorrels.
+
+Esperance, who had been brimful of joy, not ten minutes before, at
+finding herself in Brussels, now felt a cloud upon her spirits. The
+manner, almost the authority, of this tall, young man of distinction,
+but of no beauty, of no magnetism, depressed her. She did not wish to
+have him take it upon himself to conduct her small affairs, and she
+stepped into the Countess Styvens's beautiful carriage with the
+feeling that she was leaving her liberty behind.
+
+Albert Styvens got into the hotel landau with the two other young men.
+They knew the Count very slightly, and regarded him with some
+curiosity. Although but twenty-seven, he had a reputation for
+austerity most unusual for one of his age.
+
+As the carriage drew up at the hotel, all three young men jumped
+lightly out to be ready to help the girl. Mlle. Frahender was received
+on the Count's arm. At the same instant Esperance had bounded out of
+the other door, pleased to have escaped the obligation of thanking the
+Legation Secretary.
+
+When she entered the suite that had been reserved, she stopped
+a moment in silent astonishment before the flowering vases and
+ribbon-bedecked baskets that filled the reception-room with their
+rich colours and delicate perfumes. All that for her! She threw her
+hat quickly on a chair and ran from vase to basket, from basket to
+vase. The first card she drew out said Jean Perliez. She looked for
+him to thank him, but he had slipped away to hide his confusion. For
+he had taken such pains to order that bouquet through the hotel manager,
+never foreseeing that others might have had the same idea! A pretty
+basket of azaleas came from the Director of the Monnaie. In the middle
+of the room, on a marble table with protruding golden feet, stood a
+huge basket of orchids of every shade--this orgy of rare flowers was
+an attention from the Count. The girl grew red as she raised her eyes
+to thank him. He was looking at her so strangely that she stammered
+and fled into the next room, where she had seen Mlle. Frahender
+disappear.
+
+"That man frightens me," she whispered, pressing close to her old
+friend.
+
+"Who frightens you, dear child?"
+
+"Count Styvens."
+
+"That gentlemanly young man, who is so considerate?"
+
+Esperance did not dare to speak her thought. "That is not the way that
+others look at me." She was ashamed to entertain such an idea!
+
+The _maitre d'hotel_ knocked discreetly to announce lunch.
+
+"Oh! let us begin at once, so that we shall not lose any time in
+seeing Brussels!"
+
+They set out in great spirits, following wherever the caprice of
+Esperance led them. "Already a famous woman, and what a child she is,"
+Maurice observed aside to Jean. They had a long ramble, zigzagging
+extravagantly about the city. The adorable little artist appreciated
+the beauty of the lovely capital, and the church of Saint Gudule
+delighted her. They took a cab to go to the Bois de la Cambre.
+Esperance was much affected by the horses, who led a hard life up and
+down the little streets, which were so picturesque in their
+unevenness.
+
+The little expedition was not over until half-past seven. Visitors'
+cards attracted Mlle. Frahender's attention. They were from the
+Minister Prince de Bernecourt and the Count Albert Styvens, Secretary
+of the Legation. Feeling that she would not see the Count gave the
+young artist the sensation of relief comparable to that of a prisoner
+walking straight out of his jail into freedom.
+
+During dinner Esperance was quite exuberant and proposed a hand at
+_trente-et-un_ as soon as dessert was finished. "After that, we
+will go to bed very early, to have our best looks ready for to-morrow,
+will we not, my little lady?" she said, placing her slender hand on
+the wrinkled fingers of Mlle. Frahender. "My little lady" was the pet
+name Esperance often gave her.
+
+Maurice was only moderately receptive of the idea of a game of
+_trente-et-un_, but after consulting the clock, he was reassured.
+"By ten o'clock I shall be free."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+The next morning Marguerite had some difficulty in waking her young
+mistress, who was sleeping soundly. Esperance enquired as soon as her
+own eyes were well opened, what kind of night her chaperone had
+passed. "Deliciously restful, and you, my dear child, how did you
+sleep?"
+
+"I never woke once. Oh! what a sun. Have you seen what a glorious day
+it is?"
+
+"It is the forerunner of good news," Jean cried out from the next
+room.
+
+"Who knows?" said Esperance.
+
+The telephone at her bedside rung. Marguerite picked up the receiver,
+and announced dejectedly, "M. Meydieux wishes to speak to
+Mademoiselle."
+
+"My godfather in Brussels!... You see, Jean, that I was right to
+doubt your omen."
+
+The young people burst out laughing.
+
+"Really," continued Esperance, "I feel that he is going to spoil my
+trip here. I don't like him, and his advice never coincides with that
+of my father, whom I love so much."
+
+Meantime M. Meydieux was getting impatient on the telephone.
+
+"Tell him that I am not up yet, and ask him to lunch with us at
+twelve-thirty. Then," she explained to Mlle. Frahender, who had just
+come into her room, all powdered, all pinned and bonneted for the
+morning, "he will not dare to bother me when everybody else is
+present."
+
+Marguerite was still answering M. Meydieux's excited questions: "What!
+at half-past nine not up, that is shameful! I must talk to her ... I
+will come to lunch, oh yes! but above all I must talk to her."
+
+Esperance was motioning violently to Marguerite to hang up the
+receiver, but Mlle. Frahender objected to this lack of courtesy, so
+the young girl giving way to her remonstrance yielded gracefully. She
+even re-requested Marguerite, who knew her godfather's culinary
+preferences, to order a lunch that he would like. Then she dressed in
+haste to allow herself plenty of time to write to her family. They had
+already exchanged telegrams, but she knew that her father would like
+to have a long letter, giving him the minutes, so to speak, of
+herself. A tender gratitude swelled up in her, and her eyes were wet
+as she evoked the image of these two beloved beings reading her
+letter, commenting upon it, and entering completely for those moments
+into the life of their child. As soon as the letter was finished, she
+asked Mlle. Frahender to go with her to post it, so that she could
+herself speed it on its way to them. She had a strong desire to get
+out-doors, even if only for a half-hour.
+
+As they turned into the square, Esperance stopped, clutching her aged
+friend by the arm. "Look there," she said.
+
+There were two men side by side in deep conversation. Esperance had
+instantly recognized Count Albert and her godfather. How did Adhemar
+Meydieux happen to know the Secretary of the Legation?
+
+They had just passed the post-office, so Esperance posted her letter
+without being seen by either of them, and returned to the hotel. Lunch
+time brought together all the guests except the godfather, who would
+not enter until the exact minute, if he had to wait in the corridor....
+He thought it witty to behave so. His hateful, stupid mind flattered
+itself on being original. Therefore as the half-hour began to strike
+he was pompously ushered in, watch in hand.
+
+"I am here, you see, to the tick," he said noisily, kissing the
+forehead his goddaughter pressed forward to him. Then, turning to the
+waiter, "You can serve without delay," he said. "I like my food hot."
+
+Mlle. Frahender, although she was well acquainted with the abrupt ways
+of the godfather, frowned at him with disapprobation. Nevertheless,
+thanks to Maurice, who made a point of laughing at everything Adhemar
+said, they had a gay luncheon, and Adhemar himself, appreciating the
+consideration shown for his palate, cast aside his ill humour and
+enjoyed with full indulgence the present hour, the savoury food and
+the plentiful wine.
+
+At the end of the meal he examined the room. "On my word, my girl,
+they have given you the royal suite: that must come pretty expensive."
+
+"M. Darbois," said Jean Perliez, "gave me a very liberal sum of money,
+with instructions to spare nothing for our little queen."
+
+"There you have it, if that is not the exaggeration of a lover! Little
+Queen! You are pouring poison in continuous doses into this little
+head, which is already full of nonsense. Esperance will end by taking
+herself seriously; she is already far too dictatorial for a child of
+seventeen." He added to himself, "She must be corrected, I will do it
+myself!"
+
+Esperance raised her eyelids, and her clear blue eyes seemed to pierce
+the eyeballs of the foolish blunderer, until he fluttered his lashes
+and closed his eyes to escape the powerful silent denial of his
+authority.
+
+"Very well," he said, succeeding in half opening his eyes, "look at me
+as much as you like, that does not keep me from distrusting you, my
+child. You are nice-looking, you have a pretty voice, you may some day
+develop some talent; but you know, your inexperience is obvious, and I
+am very anxious to know how you will pull through to-night."
+
+"Do not disturb yourself, M. Meydieux, Esperance had a triumph at the
+last rehearsal at the Francaise." (Mlle. Frahender nodded agreement.)
+"I believe," Jean continued, "that she is going to receive a perfect
+ovation this evening."
+
+"I believe it too," added the old lady, "and permit me to state, my
+dear sir, that you judge my young pupil very unfairly. She is just as
+modest, just as gentle, as she was a year ago, and those who love her
+may be well reassured of that fact. Since you are among them," she
+went on boldly, "you should realize it and rejoice in it."
+
+Adhemar shrugged his shoulders. "They are all mad, even the old
+saint!"
+
+They left the table. He stopped before a basket of flowers. "Who sent
+you those, my child?"
+
+"Count Albert Styvens," replied Jean.
+
+"Ah! He does things well," commented Adhemar, but he did not breathe a
+word concerning his conversation with the Count that morning.
+
+Before there was time for a reply a waiter entered with a card. "M.
+Mounet-Sully would like to come up."
+
+"Oh! yes," cried out the young artist with delight.
+
+A little startled at finding five people in the room, Mounet-Sully
+regained his assurance as he recognized Jean and Maurice.
+
+"My dear child, we rehearse at two-thirty," he said to Esperance, "so
+be prompt, because we have heard that the Queen will be there, though
+you may not see her. She is not well enough to come out in the
+evening."
+
+The young girl blushed with excitement. "It is fortunate that I shall
+not see her, I think that I should be paralyzed!"
+
+"Perhaps she will send for you after the rehearsal," returned the
+tragedian. "She is a patroness of art, and very kind to artists."
+
+"Will His Majesty, King Leopold, come this evening?" demanded
+Meydieux, with great interest.
+
+"Certainly," Mounet-Sully assured him.
+
+Then, as he was about to go, he turned, "Have you received your
+invitation for...?"
+
+The door opened. Count Albert, being introduced by the _maitre
+d'hotel_, had heard the last words.
+
+"I am just delivering it myself," he said, handing Mlle. Frahender a
+card which she read to Esperance--"His Excellence, the Count de
+Bernecourt, Minister of Belgium to France, and the Princess, hope that
+Mlle. Frahender and Mlle. Esperance Darbois will join them for supper
+after the play, at midnight, at their house."
+
+"But I cannot accept without the permission of my father," said
+Esperance.
+
+The raucous and heavy voice of the godfather pronounced, "I will
+assume the responsibility. Your mother encouraged me to watch over
+you. I consider that this is an honour which you should not decline."
+
+"Especially as His Majesty the King will have you presented," replied
+the Count.
+
+"Nevertheless," said Esperance, "I want my father's approval. I will
+go down and telephone to Paris."
+
+"I will accompany you," said the diplomat quickly.
+
+She stopped short, and her expression implied distress. Jean went
+forward at once. "I will go and secure the connection for you," he
+said; "I will wait for you downstairs."
+
+The Count made a scarcely perceptible gesture, as if to stop him; but
+he restrained himself and followed the girl in silence out of the
+room. He rang, the lift stopped before them, empty. Albert Styvens
+went forward, but Esperance drew back, and then she said, quickly, "I
+will go down by the stairs."
+
+And light as a breath, she was gone.
+
+Alone in the lift, the young Count felt for a moment abashed, but he
+speedily recovered himself, and when Esperance reached the bottom of
+the stairs she found him waiting for her.
+
+As she leaped down the last step, she again felt herself lifted and
+deposited upon her feet.
+
+"What are you doing?" she cried angrily, startled and offended.
+
+The rapid half-embrace had been almost brutal. Esperance could still
+feel on her delicate skin the pressure of the man's strong fingers.
+
+He apologized, and was sincerely repentant. He had acted without
+reflection; he had forgotten his great strength which had this time
+served him ill. He was violently attracted by this charming little
+creature, with whom he admitted to himself that he was deeply in love;
+he, who up to this time had always avoided women as if he feared them.
+
+The telephonic communication was lengthy. Francois Darbois gave his
+consent to his daughter to attend the supper. Madame Darbois was
+distracted, and must find out what dress Esperance would wear.
+
+"I will keep on my costume from the last act of _Hernani_," she
+answered, and after a gentle farewell, Esperance hastened to the
+theatre for the rehearsal.
+
+The Director of the Monnaie announced that Her Majesty had come and
+that they could begin. Hugo's masterpiece was magnificently presented.
+The greatest artists filled even minor roles. Mounet-Sully surpassed
+himself, and Esperance drew cries of admiration from that select but
+critical audience.
+
+Count Albert was seated in the orchestra stalls with his mother. The
+Countess Styvens, widowed after five years, had bestowed upon her son
+all the affection she had cherished for her husband. She had never
+left him, but had had him educated under her own supervision, giving
+him at the age of nine, as tutor, a Jesuit who was one of the most
+austere, if also one of the most learned, of the Order. The young man
+was a perfect pupil, studious, ever disdaining the pleasures of his
+age. His childhood passed in the grey and pious atmosphere in which
+his mother steeped herself. His youth developed under the rule of his
+preceptor, a pale youth, without laughter, without aspirations. The
+physicians had never been able to persuade the Countess to let her son
+have the joy of travel of sea and mountain, so he had to be satisfied
+with the physical exercises she permitted. So he gave himself up to
+gymnastics with enthusiasm, expending his youthful vigour against his
+drill professor, and the Japanese who taught him jiu-jitsu. The boy's
+strength became quite remarkable. But his pale face, disproportionately
+long arms, and reputation for austerity, had made him the mark, from
+the very first days of his diplomatic career, for the gossips, ballad
+makers, and authors of questionable cabaret skits.
+
+The day he heard that he was serving as Turk's head in a Brussels
+music-hall, he went instantly behind the scenes of the theatre and
+demanded to see the Director, who was in conversation with the author
+of the piece. He went right up to them. "I," he said, raising his hat
+politely, "am Count Albert Styvens. I shall be very glad to have you
+suppress the scene, which, I understand, is intended to caricature
+me."
+
+The Manager, a prosperous brewer, who had become proprietor of a
+theatre for the pleasure of producing revues, which if not witty were
+certainly vulgar, shrugged his heavy shoulders.
+
+"You expect me to lose money! That act is one of the best we have
+got."
+
+"And you, sir?" Albert turned on the author, a man of doubtful
+reputation, always on the alert for any occasion of scandal in others.
+
+"Oh! of course I am sorry to offend you, but I can't take off the
+piece."
+
+The last word was not out of his mouth when the Count grabbed both of
+them by the napes of their necks and knocked their heads together till
+the blood spurted from their surprised faces. Their cries were heard
+even by the audience. Reporters came running to witness this unbilled
+spectacle. The stage hands tried to free the Manager, but desisted
+when one received a terrible smash from the Count's fist, and another
+a kick that sent him through space. When the two men were reduced to
+rags, Albert held them upright and addressed them:
+
+"I am going into the hall to see the show. I advise you to withdraw
+the scene we spoke of and to which I object."
+
+Then he quietly re-arranged his clothes and went into the auditorium
+where the audience were very noisy and laughing at the news the
+journalists had reported. Count Albert was one of the best known
+figures about Brussels, where his father had played a very important
+part in the foreign affairs of the country, and enjoyed, for more than
+twenty years, the confidence of King Leopold. When he died his wife
+was still a young and very beautiful woman, and his great fortune had
+made the only heir of the family already famous. The Count was
+astonished at the clamorous ovation that received him. He would have
+liked to impose silence on the people, but he was a poor orator, and
+very timid; he kept silence and wont to his seat. He was popular from
+that day, and greatly respected.
+
+At the Monnaie, as soon as the rehearsal was over, the Queen sent for
+Esperance and Mounet-Sully. The Queen assured the tragedian of the
+admiration that she had long felt for him, for Mounet-Sully played
+almost every year in Brussels; but all her kindly enthusiasm was
+directed towards Esperance.
+
+"What a perfectly delicious voice!" she said. "How old are you?"
+
+"Seventeen, Madame."
+
+The Queen undid a bracelet from her arm.
+
+"Accept this modest souvenir of your first appearance in our city,
+Mademoiselle."
+
+The young girl trembled with emotion. After she had kissed the royal
+hand, she tried to clasp upon her wrist the jewel she had just
+received. The Countess Styvens, who had just approached, helped her
+gently.
+
+"My mother admired you very much," said the Count, joining them.
+
+Esperance raised her eyes and looked at the mother of the young man.
+She was dressed in mauve; her temples, prematurely grey, accentuated
+the delicacy of her complexion. Her whole person breathed constant
+goodness, sacrifice without regret. The young artist loved at sight
+this woman she was beholding for the first time, and at the same time
+she had a presentiment that this charming and elegant lady would not
+remain a stranger to her during her life.
+
+The Queen desired Count Styvens to accompany the young girl, who was
+forced to take his arm to her dressing-room. She walked quickly, in a
+hurry to rid herself of her strange cavalier, who pretended to be
+oblivious of her nervous haste. Esperance requested him to convey to
+the Countess, his mother, her gratitude for her kindness. Albert
+Styvens bowed without speaking, and left her in a glow of delight.
+
+At the hotel there was no topic except the rehearsal and the reception
+the Queen had given Esperance. The godfather examined the bracelet set
+with sapphires and diamonds. He put on his glasses, counted the
+stones, shook his head and grunted, "It is a superb bracelet, do you
+realize that, child?"
+
+"I realize that it is superb because it is a testimony of good will
+offered by this kind Sovereign. That is what makes it so valuable to
+me."
+
+"What a haughty child!"
+
+And Adhemar began to laugh, the laugh with which realism strives to
+destroy dreams. Mlle. Frahender gently removed the bracelet from the
+hands of the objectionable old meddler.
+
+"You must rest and avoid excitement, dear, dear child," she said,
+leading Esperance to her room, after bowing to Adhemar. Maurice and
+Jean, who had witnessed the godfather's want of tact, reasoned with
+him.
+
+"In my opinion, M. Meydieux, you annoy my cousin too much, and for no
+reason. You forget that she has created for herself a position beyond
+her years, and you treat her like a child not out of the school-room."
+
+"Well, isn't it all for her good?" screamed out Adhemar in a fury.
+"The rest of you burn incense before her; she will be destroyed by
+pride and that will be your fault!"
+
+"No such thing," returned Maurice with equal energy. "She is adorable
+in her simplicity and has remained as really childlike, as trusting
+and light-hearted as anyone in the world. You cast a gloom on her
+spirits, you try to curb her spontaneity, you want her bourgeoisie
+like yourself, but you will never succeed, I give you my word for it,
+and that is a blessing."
+
+"Oh!" retorted Adhemar, stung to the quick, "What do you mean by that,
+you fine painter fellow? You are glad enough to have these bourgeoisie
+that you scorn pay for your pictures!"
+
+"If I make pictures and anybody buys them, that is proof enough that
+they are idiots. But my hatred of the bourgeoisie only extends to the
+category to which you belong; those who, ever since they were born,
+have found their food ready under their noses; those who, never using
+their ten fingers, never using their brains, live only to increase
+inherited incomes; hearts locked by greed, narrow minds unwilling to
+hear the just claims of the humble, of those who work and suffer for
+them; enemies of progress, enemies of their country."
+
+"Oh! oh! oh!" screamed Meydieux.
+
+"Yes, refusing to perform the sole function the State expects of
+them."
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"To become a husband, a father, a parent."
+
+"You are insolent! It is not worth my while to reply to you. You may
+tell my goddaughter...."
+
+The door opened, and Esperance, who had been kept awake by the noise
+of their voices, appeared to know what was the matter!
+
+"Ah! there you are. I will say good-bye! Your cavaliers annoy me."
+
+He threw a furious glance towards Jean, who had not spoken a word. It
+is a fact that the majority of people cherish more rancour against the
+witness of an insult than against the insulter himself.
+
+"I will not be present at your triumph--as they call it. I am going to
+your father and shall tell him everything."
+
+"My father, godfather, knows that I always tell the truth; he will
+await my return to judge my actions and those of my dear comrades."
+
+Adhemar pulled on his hat and stormed out of the room, swelling with
+wounded dignity.
+
+Esperance blew a kiss to the two young men.
+
+"Now I am going to sleep until dinner time. I have just three-quarters
+of an hour. Do not forget, my loyal attendants, that we dine at
+six-thirty," she added with a sweeping courtesy, and disappeared,
+light of heart at the departure of her godfather.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+The performance was an unparalleled triumph for the players and little
+"_Dona Sol_" received the most flattering part of the success.
+The King, knowing that the Queen had already favoured this delightful
+child, would not be outdone in generosity, and sent to the dressing-room
+of the new star a very beautiful ring, set with a magnificent pearl and
+two diamonds. Esperance, who had never had any jewellery except a gold
+chain that her mother's aunt had left her and the little ring her father
+had given her for her first communion, found herself, in one day,
+possessor of two ornaments which the most fastidious worldling would
+not have disdained. She put the ring immediately on her first finger,
+since it was a little loose for the ring finger, and looked at herself
+in the glass, arranging a lock of hair with the ringed hand, raising an
+eyebrow and laughing delightedly to see the effect produced by the ring.
+Count Albert watched her from the neighbouring room where he was waiting.
+His face was of a livid pallor. His heart beat so fast that he felt weak,
+and was forced to sit down. He was out of his senses. All the frenzy of
+youth, repressed so long, mounted in a wave to his brain.
+
+Marguerite, coming to dress her mistress, announced that the gentlemen
+were waiting. She quickly threw on a cloak, saying, "I am ready."
+
+Mounet-Sully and Count Albert entered together. The Count offered his
+arm to the old Mademoiselle, and Esperance, free of the contact that
+disturbed her, joyfully accepted the tragedian's assistance.
+
+The supper was charming, and proved to the young girl that the feasts
+of artists and men of the world do not end in the orgies described by
+the odious godfather. The young girl was at the right of the Prince
+with Mounet-Sully opposite, at the right of the Princess. None of the
+guests could help noticing the Count's agitation. The Military Aide,
+representing King Leopold, Baron von Berger, was an old friend of the
+Styvens's family. He was uneasy, and when he saw the young Count
+preparing to take the ladies home, "No, no, my boy," he said to him in
+a low tone, "You are not yourself--you are distraught. I am afraid
+that you have been hard hit."
+
+"You are not mistaken," replied the young man, "I burn like a devil,
+and at the same time I am as happy as a god."
+
+"Well, now I am going to escort these ladies, and to-morrow I will
+have a talk with you."
+
+Esperance slept badly and woke late. The old Mademoiselle was sitting
+beside her, spectacles across her nose, reading the papers. Her kind
+face was beaming. She was cutting out and putting aside certain
+articles, then she pinned them in order, all ready to send to M. and
+Madame Darbois.
+
+The young girl was touched, and raising herself in bed, flung her arms
+about the old lady.
+
+"What a dear you are, and how I love you!"
+
+Mlle. Frahender at that moment had her reward for all the little
+sacrifices she had made for her pupil.
+
+The critics were dithyrambic in their discourses concerning the new
+"Dona Sol," but the casual reporters were, as always, indiscreet, and
+disguised the truth under little prevarications, fantastic and
+suggestive. After having read two or three of the articles, Esperance
+pushed them all aside. She took the name of all the critics, and wrote
+them little notes of thanks, while Mlle. Frahender added the
+addresses. In the neighbouring room a discussion was going on between
+her knight-attendants. Esperance did not gather its cause, although
+certain phrases were audible.
+
+"No, I tell you," Maurice was saying, "if it is worth while at all, I
+must be the one."
+
+"I could always demand a correction," replied Jean.
+
+"Correction of what? It is simply one of those ambiguous phrases which
+are used every day. Why notice it?"
+
+The sound of Esperance's voice cut short their discussion.
+
+"What are you talking about?" she called out.
+
+"Nothing at all," returned Maurice, "that is, only stupid things you
+would not understand."
+
+"That is not a very gallant morning greeting, cousin, but you have not
+forgotten your promise to lake me to the Museum this morning, I hope."
+
+"Yes, my dear, we will go to the Museum in a very little while."
+
+She heard the door close.
+
+"Are you still there, Jean?" she called.
+
+"And at your service," he replied.
+
+"There is nothing I need, thank you. I just want to know what
+correction you were talking about."
+
+"It is a private affair of Maurice's," stammered the young actor.
+
+"I see, thank you."
+
+After lunch the travellers set out for the Museum. Maurice was
+surprised and delighted by the instinct that guided his cousin towards
+the best that was in the pictures. He explained to her in the language
+affected by painters the reason for certain unreal shadows in a
+certain picture, and the necessity for them, the tact a painter must
+use in managing his light, the difficulty of foreshortening. He told
+her the well-known anecdote of Delacroix replying to the professor who
+objected that he had put a full face eye in a profile, "But, my dear
+master, I have tried everything and that is the only eye that gives the
+profile its proper value." And the professor of the great painter-to-be,
+after several sketches on the transparent paper over his pupil's canvas,
+said to him, "You are entirely right. Keep that full face eye."
+
+They left the Museum, animated by different feelings. The more that
+Maurice discovered his cousin's noble qualities, the delicacy of her
+feelings, the strength of her loyalty, the more he felt of protective
+affection for this child who was so pure, so free, and who had made
+her entry so bravely into the whirlpool where things are generally
+turbulent, and most brutal in the brutal side of Parisian life. The
+admiration of his twenty years, for Esperance's alluring beauty, was
+purified into a friendship which he felt growing deeper and stronger.
+As to Jean Perliez, he had become more and more resigned that his love
+should remain forever in the shade, unlimited devotion for all time,
+all his being offered in sacrifice to the frail idol, who went her way
+star-gazing, unsuspecting all the time that she was trampling upon
+hearts under her foot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+M. and Madame Darbois had received the telegram announcing the return
+of their daughter, and were at the station to meet her. Esperance saw
+them and would have jumped out before the train had fully slopped.
+Maurice held her just in time.
+
+"No foolishness there, little cousin. Your bodyguards must return you
+intact to your family's four arms. One more moment of patience. What a
+hurry you are in to be rid of us."
+
+She held out her little hands to the two young men. "Oh, naughty
+Maurice! You know very well that I shall never forget these three days
+we have passed together, when you have been so good to me and taught
+me so very much."
+
+Maurice kissed her boldly; Jean put his lips very respectfully to the
+warm, soft little hand.
+
+The train stopped and the Darbois family were in an instant reunited.
+Mlle. Frahender declined escort to her convent. Francois Darbois
+installed her in a landau, and after he had thanked her heartily for
+her kindness to his daughter, gave the address to the coachman, who
+drove away with the old lady holding her inevitable little package on
+her lap, and steadying her old-fashioned little attache case on the
+seat opposite.
+
+The Darbois family took their places in another carriage. Esperance
+must sit between her father and mother, leaning close to them,
+caressing them endlessly, and dropping her little blonde head on her
+mother's shoulder.
+
+"Oh! how long it seems since I have seen you," she kept repeating.
+
+She held her father's hand and pressed it against her heart. It seemed
+to her suddenly as if she had suffered from that absence of three
+days, and yet she could not specify at what moment she had wished
+herself back with them. She recounted all the little events that had
+taken place during the three eventful days.
+
+"You know," she explained to her father, "I am bringing you all the
+newspaper articles. Then I have the letter from the President of the
+Committee, and the beautiful presents from the King and Queen."
+
+The carriage stopped at the Boulevard Raspail. The _concierge_
+came forward.
+
+"I am sure I hope that Mademoiselle has had a success."
+
+Esperance looked at her with astonishment, but the woman's husband
+came up with a newspaper in his hand, which he unfolded to display the
+picture of Esperance just beneath the headlines.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "they will make me odious to the public.
+Mounet-Sully was so wonderful. Worms so fine in his monologue...."
+
+Sadness overcame her.
+
+She was still sad when she entered her own room. She touched all the
+familiar little objects, and kissed the feet of the ivory Virgin upon
+her mantel-piece with great emotion. She thanked her mother with a
+look when she saw the fresh marguerites in the two enamel vases. In
+comparison with the luxury of her apartment at the Grand Hotel in
+Brussels, the simple surroundings of her own room charmed her anew.
+She swayed for a moment in her rocking-chair, sat down on her low
+stool, knelt upon her bed to straighten the branch of box beneath the
+silver crucifix her mother had given her when she was seventeen.
+
+Marguerite came in with the trunk and luggage.
+
+"What is that?" asked Esperance, spying a big box fastened with nails.
+
+"I don't know anything about it, Mademoiselle. They gave it to me at
+the hotel saying it was for you."
+
+The box on being opened displayed a magnificent basket of orchids.
+Attached by a white ribbon was a card--"Countess Styvens."
+
+Esperance grew pale; she took the card from her mother's hands,
+fearing that she might be mistaken. It was indeed the Countess and not
+the Count. She breathed again! Marguerite and the maid carried the
+basket into the salon; then the young girl went into the library with
+her mother. The newspaper clippings were spread out on the table, and
+the two famous trinkets had been taken from their cases. Madame
+Darbois clasped and unclasped her hands.
+
+"Oh! but they are too beautiful, simply too beautiful!" she said.
+
+And the philosopher, half in indignation, half in indulgence,
+exclaimed, "My poor child, you can not possibly wear such jewels at
+your age!"
+
+"Ah!" said Esperance with disappointment, "I cannot wear them?"
+
+"Why, no, it is out of the question."
+
+"You will be able to wear them in a play, at the theatre," said Madame
+Darbois, but her tone lacked assurance, for she did not know whether
+that would be possible either.
+
+M. Darbois had turned his attention to the notices, having pushed
+aside the descriptive paragraphs. He read them and gave them to his
+wife.
+
+"Your godfather came to complain to us of Maurice, of Jean Perliez,
+and of yourself. You all displeased him; tell us just what happened?"
+
+Esperance recounted the happenings with perfect impartiality, adding
+honestly that she had done nothing to try to persuade her godfather to
+remain. The philosopher smiled.
+
+"Very well, let us forget all that. We will take up our happy life
+again, that has been interrupted by your triumphs," he added sadly.
+And then, as the women were preparing to leave the library, "Tell me,
+Esperance, who is the Countess Styvens?"
+
+"A great lady at court, and oh! so charming."
+
+"Is Count Albert Styvens of the Legation any relation of hers?"
+
+"Yes, father, he is her son. But why do you ask that?"
+
+"Your godfather spoke to me of this young man, who, it seems, wants to
+complete his studies in philosophy."
+
+The poor little star trembled. She was on the point of confessing all
+her presentiments, her terrors, to her father.... But he had just sat
+down to his desk and seemed already indifferent to what was going on
+around him. She went softly out of the library, following her mother,
+who was bearing away the newspaper excerpts and the royal jewel cases.
+
+In the beautiful house which Countess Styvens occupied with her son,
+an animated discussion was taking place at the same moment between
+Baron von Berger and Count Albert.
+
+"I advise you, my boy," the Baron was saying brusquely, "to ask for
+another post. You, so sensible, too sensible, for a man of your age,
+in fact it's a little ridiculous...."
+
+"That has nothing to do with it," returned the younger man coolly.
+
+"All very well, but my quasi-paternal duty is to stop you before
+certain danger. You admit that you adore this young star of seventeen,
+the daughter of a philosopher of high standing. You do not intend, I
+suppose, to make her your mistress?"
+
+Albert Styvens felt the blood run into his temples, but he did not
+answer.
+
+The Baron continued, more determinedly, "You do not intend to propose
+her as a daughter-in-law to your mother?"
+
+For an instant a vertigo froze the young man's being. His heart
+stopped beating, his throat contracted with a terrific pressure of
+blood. He did not answer a word.
+
+"In God's name," cried the Baron violently, "am I in the presence of a
+woman or a man?"
+
+"A man," said Count Albert, getting to his feet. "A man whose anger is
+held in check by his respect, but who can endure no more," he added,
+throwing back his arms to allow his chest to dilate still farther. "I
+am going to answer you; please listen without interruption."
+
+Then, after a moment more of silence, he declared, "Yes, I am
+desperately in love with this young girl, and I am going to try
+everything, not to make her love me, for that she probably never
+will--but that she will let herself be loved. What will come of it, I
+have not the least idea. I want her and no one else. I will commit
+no disloyal act, I give you my word for that. If she should become my
+wife, it would be with my mother's full permission. I beg you now, my
+dear Baron, to say nothing further about it; I am old enough to
+regulate my life, as much as the divine guiding force which you call
+'Destiny' permits."
+
+He came up to the Baron, clasped his hand in a firm grasp, and
+reaching for his hat, added, "I want to get out in the air. Shall we
+go together?"
+
+The Baron recognized the opposition of an unchangeable will to his
+own, which no discussion could influence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+Life had resumed its regular course in the apartment on the Boulevard
+Raspail, but an important relationship was developing in Esperance's
+life. Count Albert Styvens came three times a week to pursue his
+philosophic studies with Professor Darbois. This arrangement had been
+contrived by the hypocrite, Adhemar Meydieux. He did not mistake the
+Count's infatuation for his goddaughter. A marriage of such wealth and
+aristocratic connections flattered his foolish egoism, and he was
+sworn to attempt everything that would bring about such a magnificent
+consummation.
+
+A friend of the family, Doctor Bertaud, noticed alarming symptoms in
+the girl, most prevalent between five and seven o'clock each evening.
+He could not ascertain the cause, but persuaded the philosopher to
+take her to Doctor Potain, a celebrated heart specialist. Madame
+Darbois took Esperance for an examination.
+
+Francois was perfectly amazed by the deep culture of the Count, who at
+first sight seemed of only average intelligence. When the family
+gathered together for dinner, he commented on his impressions to his
+wife and daughter.
+
+"This young man is a very remarkable personality," he said, "very
+difficult to penetrate, yet nevertheless very sincere. I do not
+believe that the slightest untruth has ever crossed his lips. I enjoy
+working with him. Ah! that reminds me, I have invited him to dine with
+us on Thursday. He is very anxious to be presented to you, and
+Esperance already knows him, so I thought you would find it
+agreeable."
+
+The young girl trembled. Her blood seemed to stop in her veins. Her
+hand pressed against her heart felt no movement there. Her father,
+noticing the change in her, exclaimed, "Bertaud is quite right, you
+are sometimes abnormally pale; do you feel ill?"
+
+"No, father, it is nothing; I felt dizzy for a moment."
+
+"All the same we must hurry Bertaud with his examination."
+
+Back in her own room the young girl began to weep. "I shall never
+escape that man, never, never."
+
+Her eyes invoked the Virgin of ivory. Her two arms extended, implored
+her, but it seemed to Esperance that they were opened also to whatever
+discouragement Destiny might have in store. She fell asleep in her
+chair, worn out by self-hypnosis on the holy image.
+
+A horrible nightmare unfolded in her brain. She found herself on a
+great map of the world, with a voice calling to her, "Why are you
+frozen there, why don't you move? You are free as the air of this
+great globe." Then she began to walk, but at once she saw the earth
+open and long tentacles, like arms, emerge to clutch her. She recoiled
+quickly and started in another direction but the same phenomenon
+occurred again. After that she determined to climb on to a great plain
+that she saw ahead. She thought she was safe when all at once she saw
+arising on every side the frightful tentacles which crept along her
+hiding-place, viscous and black, nearer, near enough to touch her. An
+indescribable terror brought her to her feet with a cry for help!
+Mile. Frahender and Marguerite came running in. They found her pale
+and bathed in perspiration. Her lips were trembling, stammering. It
+was five minutes before she recovered herself. She described her
+dream, and the old Mademoiselle prescribed a little walk in the air.
+The child followed her chaperon with nervous docility.
+
+It was the day after the next when Albert Styvens was to come to
+dinner. Esperance had thought of saying that she was ill, but her
+heart misgave her at the thought of the anxiety she would occasion her
+mother, and then ... and then ... the dinner would be postponed, and
+"This man will have what he will have, and I am the prey of his
+dream," she said with a sigh of resignation.
+
+The dinner was arranged for seven-thirty. The young Count presented
+himself at seven-fifteen, having been preceded by two great bunches of
+flowers, for Madame Darbois and Esperance, who was at the piano when
+he came into the room. The Count entered with Madame Darbois, whom her
+husband had just presented to her, and they stopped silent to listen
+to Mendelssohn's beautiful nocturne, "Song of a Summer Night." When
+the last echoes of the last phrase had died away, discreet applause
+was wafted to her. She swung quickly on her stool and found herself
+before the young man who was bowing, and taking the hand she held out
+to him. She had not yet overcome that terror he inspired in her, and
+was surprised to find him so much at ease. After dinner they talked of
+music, and Esperance, praising a magnificent duet of Liszt, from the
+symphony of Orpheus, was overcome when the young man rose, took her
+hand and led her towards the piano.
+
+"Come, let us try to play it together." He looked towards Francois
+Darbois and received his nod of acquiescence from the depths of the
+arm-chair where the professor sat clasping his long, fine hands.
+
+The Count was intoxicated by the light perfume of Esperance's body
+there so near him that he seemed almost to touch her. His strong hands
+rose and fell beside her delicate fingers, making the young girl think
+of a great hawk fluttering over white pigeons, at the farm of Penhouet
+in Brittany, where for years she had spent her holidays. The fragment
+was executed brilliantly, for these two persons, united in their
+enthusiasm for art, although so different in personal reactions, gave
+the two auditors of this musical treat a magnificent interpretation of
+Liszt's genius. Francois Darbois and his wife, both distinguished in
+their appreciation of the beautiful, could not sufficiently thank the
+Count, dividing his praises with congratulations to their daughter.
+
+"You surpassed yourself, my dear," said the philosopher, "but then I
+admit that you have never before had such a partner. It was really
+remarkable."
+
+When the young man had left, Esperance excused herself, saying that
+she was tired. She kissed her parents tenderly, although for the first
+time she felt an unjust and unfounded resentment against them. She was
+aggrieved that they should see nothing of Count Styvens's manoeuvres.
+
+The maid, helping her to undress, exclaimed, "How grand it was this
+evening, Mademoiselle, and what a fine young gentleman!"
+
+Esperance shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. Marguerite, coming in
+to see that the young mistress whom she adored wanted nothing, could
+not help saying, "Ah! Mademoiselle, what talent he has, that young
+Count! How well you two did look, your backs, sitting side by side! I
+just said to myself...."
+
+Esperance shivered, guessing what was coming, and interrupted the good
+woman quickly, "Don't talk to me Marguerite, to-night. I am tired and
+I must go to sleep."
+
+But she did not sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+The last presentation of Sardou's play was a veritable ovation for
+Esperance. Flowers were presented to her on the stage. Two baskets
+attracted special attention, one overflowing with white orchids; the
+other, with gardenias, so powerful in their sweetness that even the
+first rows of the orchestra felt their strength. It was rumoured in
+the boxes that the white orchids were sent by the Countess Styvens and
+her son Albert, who were sitting in a stall in the auditorium. As to
+the gardenias, the card attached to the green ribbons of the basket
+revealed the name of the most elegant clubman of Paris, the Duke
+Charles de Morlay-La-Branche. He was a handsome man of thirty-two,
+very wealthy, adored by women, popular with men. A ripple ran through
+the audience.
+
+"You know the Duke, they say that he is very much taken...."
+
+"They know each other?"
+
+"No, he has never been presented."
+
+"No, look out for the love of the immaculate Albert," said mockingly a
+beautiful woman with bold eyes, glancing toward the stall occupied by
+Albert and his mother; but her eyes widened at seeing the Duke enter
+to present his compliments to the Countess Styvens. A few minutes
+later he was seen to go out with Count Albert. He was going to be
+presented to the young artist.
+
+Count Styvens's love was known to all Paris, as was also the respect
+with which he surrounded his idol. It was also known that the young
+girl did not return this love; likewise that the son of the chemist
+Perliez was devoting his life to Esperance. But what would be the end
+of these two gallants, both so timid, so full of silent ardour? But
+now had entered upon the scene a rival possessed of beauty, of
+confidence, one who had toyed lightly with women's hearts, until he
+had wearied of the facile love his physical charm and wit attracted.
+
+"That should be good sport to watch," said an old beau. "I am betting
+on the Duke."
+
+A newly married bride turned towards him, "I am betting on the young
+girl."
+
+A journalist, thin, blonde, very young, just beginning his career, had
+followed the Duke and the Count behind the scenes. He accompanied them
+into Esperance's little room and described what happened as follows:--
+
+"She was holding the two cards, there in the midst of the overpowering
+odour of gardenias. She blushed when she heard the name of the Duke,
+Albert Styvens was presenting to her. She thanked them both very
+prettily, but without showing any preference for either. The Duke
+began complimentary speeches without making any impression. When they
+took leave, he wanted to kiss Esperance's hand, but she withdrew it
+looking very much surprised. This rather confused the Duke. As soon as
+these gentlemen departed I was presented, and her manner was just as
+charming. Jean Perliez came in just then to tell her that the curtain
+would go up in three minutes. He brought her a bunch of Parma violets,
+and she took them from him and put them in her girdle; you will see
+her wearing them on the stage. Perliez is desperately in love with
+her, and he grew very pale. He went out without a word. I think he
+must have gone to cry out his emotion in a corner. That is all,"
+concluded the rising journalist.
+
+He repeated his story twenty times, and by next morning all Paris knew
+that the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche had been received by Esperance like
+any other gentleman, that Count Albert Styvens had been noncommittal,
+and that Jean Perliez had been overcome. The young journalist wrote a
+very suggestive article concerning this little scene, highly
+ornamented with phrases that would attract attention; but
+unfortunately the editor refused to print it. The Duke did not care
+for notoriety, and was, moreover, a renowned fencer, so the editor
+exercised his discretion. Count Styvens belonged to the foreign
+diplomacy and was very particular, and no one had infringed on his
+privacy since the little affair in the Brussels music hall. That left
+only Jean Perliez, who was merely sincere and pathetic; the public did
+not want to read that kind of thing! So much for the little
+journalist.
+
+Countess Styvens was spending a month in Paris, staying at the
+Legation with the Princess de Bernecourt, who always had a suite ready
+for her. There was to be a grand opening ceremony of the Opera season,
+and for many years the Styvens had never missed the first nights of
+the Opera or the Comedie-Francaise.
+
+One evening at dinner the conversation turned upon music, and a guest
+regretted the mechanical performance of the musical prodigies at the
+Conservatoire.
+
+"It gives them a certain amount of cleverness, or technique, or
+whatever you like to call it, but there is no flair of the ideal, and
+often no important personality."
+
+"I know a young artist," said Albert Styvens, "who plays with her
+whole soul, and I, who really love music, find her far ahead of all
+your prodigies."
+
+Almost a sensation was produced among the guests.
+
+The Countess said with her sweet smile, "I see that they tease you
+here as well as at Brussels."
+
+"That does not affect me, mother, you see; I remain faithful to my
+ideal."
+
+"Never mind, tell us the name of this new discovery."
+
+"Her name is Esperance Darbois," said Albert rising, resting his two
+hands on the table. Then, having produced his effect, he sat down
+again.
+
+"What! she is a good musician too?"
+
+"Excellent," replied Albert, "and I will wager that whoever hears her
+will agree with me.
+
+"How is it possible to hear her? She does not play at the concerts.
+But tell us how did you contrive to hear her?" demanded the Princess.
+
+"I study with her father, Francois Darbois, so I have become a friend
+of the family. They asked me to dinner once, and I was early enough to
+hear Mlle. Esperance play. After dinner we played a very difficult
+duet together. She had absolute command of her execution and her
+emotion."
+
+A young attache murmured to an amiable dowager, "I am afraid that they
+have completely taken him in."
+
+Count Albert sprang to his feet.
+
+"I am not willing that you should try to belittle this family whom you
+do not know. Francois Darbois, the philosopher, is a fine character,
+of unparalleled honour and integrity: his wife has never frequented
+the world where people are 'taken in,' as you say, and as for Mlle.
+Esperance ... so much the better if you do not know her?"
+
+The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, sitting beside the Princess, said to
+her, loud enough for all to hear, "Albert Styvens is entirely right:
+they are people of a very different order. They are a very refreshing
+trio for Parisian society."
+
+Everyone kept quiet and listened to what the Duke had to say. It was
+well known that he was attracted by Esperance's beauty and talent, and
+it was also known that he was a sceptic, a railer, not easy for anyone
+to "take in." The attache, not knowing how to back out of his awkward
+position, apologized for having spoken in jest. He had heard ... but
+the world is so unjust ... etc., etc. No one listened.
+
+"For my part," said the Princess, "I see only one way to put to the
+proof the statements of the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche and Count
+Albert, and that is to ask the Darbois family to dinner. Afterwards,
+Albert must undertake to persuade this adorable little comedian to
+reveal her ability as a musician."
+
+The Minister was most agreeable and said, "All our guests this evening
+must be present at the dinner."
+
+Albert Styvens was consumed with joy. And the Duke did not attempt to
+conceal his satisfaction.
+
+The only difficulty was to find a suitable excuse for inviting the
+Darbois. Chance proved itself the Count's accomplice. In conversation
+with the professor the next day the Count was told that there would be
+no lesson on the following Tuesday, because the professor was to
+deliver an address on the question of the hour--"Can philosophy and
+religion evolve without danger in the same mind?" The conference was
+to be held at the home of Madame Lamarre, the wife of a fashionable
+painter. Albert knew that his mother was a great friend of this lady.
+He told the Countess and the Princess, and it was agreed that they
+should both go to this conference. When the Professor was presented it
+would be easy for the Princess to say that Countess Styvens was
+anxious to meet again her little friend of Brussels, then the
+invitation could easily follow. Everything happened according to the
+Count's plans.
+
+Francois Darbois had a great success; the Catholic party owed him
+recognition for his noble dissertation on the role of philosophy in
+religion. He was a fervent follower of the author of "The Genius of
+Christianity."
+
+The Princess de Bernecourt presented sincere compliments to the
+affable philosopher. The Countess Styvens presented herself to Madame
+Darbois, who thanked her for her special kindness to Esperance, who
+regretted that she had not herself been able to thank her
+sufficiently.
+
+"Now won't you," said the charming Princess, "do us the honour to come
+to dinner at the Legation next week? That will give the Countess and
+myself a chance to renew our acquaintance with your adorable
+daughter."
+
+Francois, being appealed to, accepted the invitation for the following
+Tuesday.
+
+"My husband will be delighted, dear M. Darbois, to meet you; he is one
+of your most faithful readers," said the Princess.
+
+On their return the Darbois found Esperance very anxious to learn the
+result of the conference. Francois said very simply as he kissed his
+daughter, "You would have been satisfied...."
+
+But Madame Darbois, made loquacious by her husband's success,
+recounted everything at length and the triumph obtained by her husband
+in every detail.
+
+The invitation to dine at the Belgian Minister's rather dismayed, in
+truth distressed, Esperance. Her joy in her father's success was
+diminished by this prospect. Count Styvens was certainly not unaware
+of this unexpected invitation.
+
+"You are quite right, little daughter," went on Madame Darbois, "the
+mother of the young Count is perfectly delightful. She is especially
+anxious to see you again."
+
+Esperance breathed deeply, as if to draw more strength from within.
+She knew her parents were flattered at the idea that the attentions of
+the young Count could only end in an offer of marriage. They were not
+ignorant that she did not love him, but they hoped that she would in
+time be touched by his respectful affection. The philosopher and his
+wife had often talked of this prospect with each other. They did not
+want to cause any pain to their cherished daughter. M. Darbois had
+already had to give up all idea of Jean Perliez, for he had begged him
+not to speak of him to Esperance. She was his goddess; he adored her
+but felt unworthy of her. With resignation Francois charged his wife
+to find out Esperance's state of mind, but these were futile efforts.
+Madame Darbois could never approach the burning question; she hovered
+round it with such uncertainty that Esperance never for an instant
+suspected her mother's real motive in the long talks they had
+together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+A radiant sun woke Esperance on the following Tuesday. Her thoughts,
+always on the future, refused to be subjugated by the confused anguish
+she felt which almost stifled her. Yet this evening was sure to be one
+of importance in her young life! Had the Count said anything to her
+mother? She rejected the idea that he could think of her as capable of
+becoming his mistress.... Then, his wife? She would not give up the
+theatre.... "No, nothing in the world could make up for that, far
+rather death." And she smiled at the idea that she might perhaps
+become a victim of the great art. She saw herself struggling against
+all hardships and dying as an adored victim of circumstances,
+regretted and wept by the many who loved her.
+
+Her imaginative speculations were rudely interrupted by Marguerite
+bringing in her chocolate. On the tray was a card with a little
+present for the evening. Esperance read the card, and taking the
+bouquet looked at it for a long time until tears veiled her pretty
+eyes.
+
+"Poor fellow," she said, "I did not think of his side of it."
+
+For the first time Esperance absented herself from the Conservatoire
+voluntarily. She had so much to do! She wanted to look beautiful,
+"perfectly beautiful," she confided to Mlle. Frahender.
+
+"I feel that something great is in store for me in the early coming
+days."
+
+She took particular pains with her toilette, and looking at herself in
+the tall glass of her wardrobe, reflected, "I do not want to love
+Count Styvens. Then I ought not to want to be any more attractive
+to-night than usual. Am I a wicked girl? My cousin Maurice says,
+'Coquetry is the cowardly woman's weapon, and I love you, little
+cousin, because you are not a coquette.'"
+
+The mirror showed a lovely girl gowned in pale blue. The shoulders,
+slender and rounded, seemed to emerge from clear water made heaven
+blue by the reflection of the sky. The hair, so blonde it dazzled,
+made a radiant frame for the lovely face. The red mouth, half open,
+the white teeth, the wilful little chin, lightly cleft by an oblong
+dimple, made this delightful little maiden one of the most dangerous
+weapons that love ever fashioned.
+
+When Francois and his family were announced in the salon of the
+Princess, the Minister hastened forward to convey Madame Darbois to a
+seat, after presenting her to the Dowager Duchess de Castel-Montjoie,
+Mlle. Jeanne Tordeine, of the Theatre-Francaise, and several other
+guests.
+
+Esperance's entrance roused the curiosity of all. The Duke de
+Morlay-La-Branche, after conversing for a few minutes to Francois
+Darbois, whom he had met several weeks before, came up to the young
+girl as she was standing before the Countess Styvens, replying to
+the compliments the charming lady was paying her.
+
+"I am told that you are quite a clever musician." Esperance looked up
+to reproach the Count for his indiscretion in speaking about her
+playing, but her eyes met the ardent gaze of the Duke. She was
+agitated, thinking, "How handsome he is, and I had never noticed it."
+
+"Yes indeed, Mademoiselle," he continued in his easy, agreeable
+manner, "we hear that you have captivated Count Styvens with your
+playing, and as perhaps you know he is recognized as being quite a
+dilettante authority."
+
+Esperance strived to speak, but nervousness prevented her. She sat
+down quickly beside the Countess, and crept close to her. A completely
+new sensation seemed to invade her whole being. She had a strange
+feeling of uncertain joy tinged with pain and yet she loved this
+sensation that troubled her, this half-fright which gave her a slight
+shiver. The Duke brought up a chair and seemed to be exerting all his
+charm and animation for the Countess, but it was easy to see that all
+this charm, all this wit, were intended for the pretty creature who
+appeared powerless to resist his fascinating personality.
+
+When dinner was announced the Duke offered his arm to the Countess,
+the Minister his to Madame Darbois, the Princess took the arm of the
+philosopher. While Esperance, naturally accepted the arm of Count
+Albert. She looked at him more attentively than she had ever done
+before, and involuntarily made a comparison between him and the Duke
+not altogether to his advantage.
+
+"How easy and graceful the Duke is," she thought. "How heavy this man,
+and dull and slow. The Duke's face is at once kindly and spirited, the
+Count's brooding and awkward. The Duke is a man, the Count but a
+shadow."
+
+At the same instant the Count's arm pressed her delicate wrist. She
+had again to restrain the repugnance she had felt before, and her
+terrible nightmare came back to her. She let herself fall rather than
+sit in the chair to which Albert Styvens had conducted her. Here she
+found herself between the Count and the young Baron de Montrieux, who
+attempted, with the most charming courtesy to forestall her every want
+and monopolize all her attention. The Baron was overflowing with wit
+and Esperance listened with delight.
+
+After dinner the Baron de Montrieux went to the piano. He was a very
+fair musician, and all the company were glad to listen to him. Albert
+followed him. He was really gifted and, if fortune had not otherwise
+favoured him, he could have made his name as an artist.
+
+There was enthusiastic applause. The Count bent before Esperance, who,
+in a burst of artistic appreciation, expressed her admiration.
+
+"Then," he replied, uplifted with joy to feel that he had really
+touched her, "shall we play our duet from Orpheus, Liszt's symphonic
+poem, to these good friends who are, I think, quite appreciative."
+
+"Oh! no, I should be afraid. I dare not. You forget I know so little.
+I am an actress and I will recite for you if you like, but--"
+
+The Duke came forward, and hearing the conversation joined in with
+a request that was almost like pleading. Styvens held out his
+angular fist to the young girl; the Duke extended a long white
+hand; and so both led her to the piano. The Duke's fingers pressed
+her palm lightly but with a suggestion of encouragement, while the
+Count's held her like a vice that would never open. In spite of her
+protestations, Esperance was installed at the piano, and Esperance
+resolved to put all her best into her playing with the hope of being
+able to transport her audience into the highest realms of the art that
+can express great aspiration blended with the pathos of suffering.
+Charles de Morlay-La-Branche withdrew to the rear of the long room,
+and stood alone, leaning against a beautiful Italian window, to listen
+and to watch. A conflict of feelings were struggling within him. He was
+fighting against the attraction of this slender creature, whose white
+shoulders and delicate body were swaying with a phrase now violent, now
+subdued, her whole person actuated, controlled by the rhythm of the
+music. The heavy frame work of Count Styvens seemed an anchor for the
+fragile idol. The Duke gnawed his lip in suppressed emotional anger.
+
+As the young couple left their seats the room shook with applause.
+Everybody was delighted. The Princess took Esperance by both hands,
+gazing at her, stroking the tapering fingers that were still vibrating
+with the fever of the music. Esperance was so pale that the Princess
+led her into another room and made her sit down, praising her
+marvellous execution and striving to quiet the little heart she could
+feel beating with so much agitation.
+
+"The Doctor who attends me," Esperance explained in a far-away voice,
+"has told me, Madame, that I must avoid all excitement if I wish to
+live a long time, but that I shall not live naturally if I am over
+excited or depressed by emotion."
+
+They brought her a refreshing and soothing drink. The Princess's
+attendant bathed her temples with Eau de Cologne. Esperance breathed
+more quietly and rose, thanking the Princess; then suddenly collapsed
+on her knees, sobbing, without strength, without consciousness, and
+Madame Darbois was summoned to her side at once.
+
+"Oh! great Heaven!" she said. "I have never seen her like this before;
+usually she controls herself when over-excited by music. See, dear, a
+little strength, stand up, and we will go home at once...."
+
+But Esperance's head slipped from the mother's support into her arms,
+while her whole body was shaken by sobs. The Countess Styvens came in
+to find the girl exhausted by a storm of moans and sobs. They
+succeeded in placing her on a large soft couch and she fell asleep
+holding the Countess's hand, under the impression that it was her
+mother's.
+
+In about an hour she awoke, refreshed, unconscious of what had
+happened to her or where she was. Her father and mother were beside
+her. She got up, and one of the maids came to her. She then
+remembered, and asked how long she had been asleep.
+
+"You see, mama," she said, "you must not take me out any more, I am
+not fit for it." Then kissing her mother who had never left her, she
+expressed her sorrow for what had happened.
+
+She thanked the maid and asked her to make her apologies to the
+Princess.
+
+"Would you not like me to call her?"
+
+"No, please do not disturb anyone; I could not bear it."
+
+In the ante-chamber two men-servants were in attendance. One of them
+was helping Madame Darbois, and Esperance, still confused, slipped her
+arms in the sleeves of her cloak, and then stopped short. Her bare arm
+had been touched, she was sure of it.
+
+She turned quickly. Her eyes met the Duke's enquiring but not
+altogether pleasant glance. With a quick gesture the girl clasped her
+mantle about her, and haughtily moved away without acknowledging the
+Duke's bow.
+
+Neither M. nor Madame Darbois had seen anything of what had just
+passed.
+
+The Duke de Morlay's bad humour vented itself against Count Styvens.
+
+"I have just passed the Darbois in the cloak-room. The little flirt
+was in a pitiful state: I helped her on with her cloak and her skin
+was like ice."
+
+Count Styvens turned almost in anger and his hands furtively opened
+and closed. A feeling of enmity was rising in his generous soul. He
+felt that the Duke had spoken slightingly of Esperance to wound him.
+Twice, during dinner, he had caught the covetous glance of the Duke
+fixed on Esperance, and he had suffered acutely in consequence. He
+looked at the Duke coldly; his shyness would have made him dumb had it
+not been for the sustaining power of his anger.
+
+"I cannot reply to you now," he said. "My mother is here."
+
+The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, who was, after all, a gentleman, came
+up to him.
+
+"Albert, I am a fool. I beg your pardon."
+
+And he went to take his leave of the Princess, who had quietly
+witnessed and understood the pantomime that had passed between these
+two men.
+
+"You did right, my friend," she said to the Duke. "Albert is a brave
+and loyal fellow."
+
+"He is an idiot," he replied, "whose idiocy we must respect."
+
+"All the same he has a quality which you and most of the other men of
+your age do not possess, and he is not afraid of being laughed at; and
+that gives him enormous moral strength."
+
+"You find that a virtue, Princess?"
+
+"Indeed I do. He does what he wants without bothering about what
+people will say."
+
+"But does he really know what they do say of him?"
+
+"You know that Albert and I have been friends since childhood," said
+the Princess. "He is twenty-eight, I am thirty, which gives me a
+little advantage perhaps, and I talk to him quite as a comrade. It is
+true that he has never had any love affairs with women, and they joke
+him about it. Albert does not disguise it. 'I shall always be as I
+am,' he says, 'until I really love.'"
+
+"But he is in love now."
+
+The Princess saw that the Duke enjoyed seeing her hesitation before
+answering. So she said nothing at all, but held out her hand; which he
+kissed respectfully and went his way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+Esperance had returned home quite furious with the manner of the Duke
+de Morlay-La-Branche, which she considered insolent. She had passed a
+bad night, waking every few moments. She compared the dignified and
+honourable affection of the Count with the offensive attitude of the
+Duke. Her thoughts flew to Madame Styvens as to a refuge. She was
+possessed of great tenderness towards this charming woman, whose life
+of purity and goodness won the admiration of all who knew her. On her
+side there was no doubt that the Countess loved the young girl, but
+although she did not cherish the narrow and false ideas of many of her
+friends against the theatre, she would have preferred to have
+Esperance give up her career....
+
+General Van Berger, who always spoke his mind to her, reprimanded her
+severely on this point.
+
+"It is impossible," he affirmed, "to let things go any further. Albert
+cannot marry an actress. I realize that the Darbois family is very
+respectable; the young girl seems to me above reproach or criticism,
+but she must give up this career. The Countess Styvens is not for the
+public eye, and if she loves him...."
+
+"But she does not love him."
+
+Van Berger was silenced for a moment. "What do you say? She does not
+love him. And you approve of such a union?"
+
+"My son loves her so deeply, and knowing him as you do, you can not
+doubt the fidelity of his affection. Esperance is touched, flattered
+even, but she does not want to give up her profession; she would
+rather, I believe, remain single, or at any rate only marry a man who
+would allow her to continue her artistic life. If I refuse my consent
+to the question my son will no doubt soon ask me, he will not insist;
+but will enter a Chartist monastery. He has a friend, a Chartist in
+France, whom he visits often. I shall lose my child forever, and my
+sad life will end in tears."
+
+The gentle woman began to weep quietly. Much touched, the General
+rose, twisting his moustache, "Courage, be brave, the assaults have
+not yet been launched and you speak as if the battle were lost! We
+have not got so far ahead yet, fortunately. Above all, don't cry, that
+is worse than having one's arms and legs broken. I am yours to
+command, you know that, heart and soul at your service; and I do not
+retreat, not I, whatever comes.... Still, dear friend," he said,
+sitting down beside her and taking her hand, "we must face the facts.
+Many of your dearest friends would cease to visit you and your house
+if you...."
+
+"What do I care about the superficial friendship of such people, if
+the happiness of my son is at stake! Thank you, dear friend, for your
+loyal insistence. I understand it, but I know that even if you do not
+succeed in convincing me you will not desert me in my trouble. Thank
+you."
+
+The Baron kissed the noble lady's hand.
+
+The time of the trial performance at the Conservatoire was drawing
+near. Esperance had resumed her usual life, alternately calm and
+feverish. She was studying for the Competition. She often wrote to
+Countess Styvens, who had returned to Brussels, on the subject. Before
+she left, the Countess had come to see the little invalid, who had
+touched her heart so much that special evening at the Princess's. She
+had also got to know the professor and his wife more intimately. The
+family attracted her, and she felt a large sympathy for them all. Of
+course she was fully aware of the love her son had for Esperance and
+resignedly left events in the hands of God. What did disturb Albert's
+mother a little was the vehemence Esperance showed in regard to her
+theatrical career, and the way she rejected the most guarded
+remonstrances against her following that calling.
+
+"No, no," said Esperance to Countess Styvens, "no, no, no; the theatre
+is not a house of evil repute, nor are its followers evil doers: the
+theatre is a temple where the beautiful is always worshipped; it makes
+a continuous appeal to the higher senses and natural passions. In this
+temple vice is punished, and virtue rewarded; the great social
+problems are presented. In this temple instruction is less abstract,
+and, therefore, more profitable for the crowd. The apostles of this
+temple are full of faith and courage; they have the souls of
+missionaries marching always toward the ideal."
+
+The trials at the Conservatoire were to take place on the fifteenth of
+July. Esperance was ambitious and strove for the first prize in both
+comedy and tragedy. The year before the jury had only awarded her two
+secondary prizes; not that she had not deserved the first, but that on
+account of her youth they had thought it wiser to keep her back for
+another year. The young artist was to compete for tragedy in the first
+act of _Phedre_, for comedy in Alfred de Musset's _Barberine_.
+
+The dawn of the fifteenth was clear and quiet. Genevieve and Jean
+arrived at eight-thirty in the morning to rehearse their scenes for
+the last time. Jean had in his hand a tiny package. As he was about to
+give it to Esperance, the maid entered with a large box marked
+"Lachaume," Florist, which she gave to Mlle. Frahender. On observing
+this, Jean quickly hid his package in his pocket. Esperance had opened
+the box and taken out a posy of gardenias, which she slipped into her
+belt. Again the maid entered with a similar box containing orchids.
+Esperance blushed, and then tore the bouquet from her belt so quickly
+that she hurt her finger. She had not seen that a card attached to the
+flowers by a pin read--"Duke de Morlay-La-Branche." Scornfully, she at
+once threw the bouquet aside. Mlle. Frahender spoke to her in English
+to rebuke her for such conduct, whatever its motive. Esperance excused
+herself. "Be indulgent to me, little lady," she said, in her most
+winning way; "I am a little nervous just now."
+
+She put the white orchids that Count Styvens had just sent to her in
+her belt. Jean Perliez picked up the discarded bouquet and the card.
+He was more disturbed by her anger against the Duke than by her
+passive acceptance of the young Count's gift. She had talked to him
+continually of the Duke, criticizing him it is true, but Jean felt in
+these reproaches that Esperance was more or less practising some
+deceit. Esperance had wished to have Jean defend the Duke, heap on him
+praise rather than the blame he did. The young artist felt
+instinctively that this man--the Duke--would not marry his little
+comrade.
+
+The three went back to work. When the rehearsal was finished, M. and
+Mme. Darbois came in gaily to take their breakfast coffee with them.
+Esperance kissed them tenderly and departed for the struggle on which,
+perhaps, her career depended.
+
+A day of competition at the Conservatoire offers the spectators a
+series of amusing studies, instructive, puzzling and deceptive also at
+times. Ambition, jealousy, vanity border on loyalty, sensibility, and
+pride. Most of these young people are preparing themselves to begin a
+sharp and bitter struggle for life itself. Others--and these are very
+few--are in search of, if not fame, at least notoriety. They have
+elected to enter upon this career, led by enthusiastic hope, their
+love of the beautiful, and unconscious consecration to art; nor will
+they cease throughout their lives to spread their propaganda in behalf
+of all there is that is good.
+
+When Esperance appeared for the scene of _Phedre_, a fluttering
+murmur of approval greeted her, while several little outbursts of
+applause were heard. She was so pretty in her gown of white crepe de
+chine! Her youthfully cut bodice revealed the slender flexibility of
+her neck; she might have been a bust in rose wax modelled by Leonardo
+da Vinci. She carried all before her by her interesting interpretation
+of the role. The tragic grief of the daughter of "_Minos_" and
+"_Pasiphae_" was a revelation for many there from one so young.
+Tears coursed down Esperance's pretty cheeks. The abandon of her
+graceful arms, her renouncement of a struggle against the gods, her
+longing for death, her shame after the tale of "_Oenone_," her
+radiant vision of the son of "_Theseus_," all was fully appreciated
+by the public, and by a distinguished company of connoisseurs,
+often strongly critical, but never insensible to real talent as it
+developed.
+
+In the competition for comedy the young girl achieved the same
+triumph. When the jury proclaimed her first in tragedy, all being
+unanimously agreed on the verdict, a storm of applause and admiration
+greeted the announcement. Mlle. Frahender wept with pleasure,
+Genevieve Hardouin, enfolding her little friend in her lovely bare
+arms, kissed her on the hair. Esperance felt more touched by the
+affectionate admiration of her comrades, than she had been even by the
+applause the day of the first presentation of Victorien Sardou's play
+at the Vaudeville. In the afternoon she received the same kind of
+ovation for her competition for the first prize in comedy. When she
+came out of the Conservatoire they would have unharnessed her
+carriage, but Mlle. Frahender and Jean Perliez absolutely opposed this
+manifestation. Genevieve Hardouin had obtained a second prize in
+tragedy and an honourable mention in comedy. Jean, who had only
+entered the competition for tragedy, had a first, shared with two
+other comrades. The three young people were radiant, each neglecting
+his own fortune to magnify the triumph of the others.
+
+When Esperance returned to the Boulevard Raspail, she found her
+parents much elated at her success. Count Styvens, who had been
+present at the competition, had hurried to tell them the good news and
+give them all the details of their daughter's significant triumph.
+
+"She surpassed herself in _Phedre_," he had said. "She is, I
+think, the equal to some of the greatest tragedienes," and when they
+told Esperance she said, "Is he still here?" looking towards the
+salon.
+
+"No, he did not wish to weary you. He only left this note:"
+
+"_You were divine in Phedre, delightfully feminine in Barberine. No
+one is happier at your phenomenal success than your always devoted,
+Albert Styvens._"
+
+Esperance felt a world of gratitude to the young Count for not having
+waited to see her. She went into her room to undress, and in doing so
+drew gently from her belt the white orchid. She was about to put it in
+one of the two vases on the mantel-piece, when her hand paused of its
+own accord and remained inert; her gaze had been caught by the Duke de
+Morlay-La-Branche's gardenias in the other vase. Radiant with
+freshness it caught the eye, it invited her to come and smell. The
+girl bent towards its whiteness. The intoxicating perfume held her.
+Her head drooped nearer and nearer the delicate blossoms. Her lip
+touched the smooth flesh of the petal. She trembled violently and
+threw her head back. It seemed as if a kiss had been given her! She
+quivered, closing her eyes, longing for the unpleasant feeling to
+pass.
+
+After a few moments she looked at the poor orchid which had dropped on
+the cold marble mantel-piece. She lifted it up carefully and placed it
+in some fresh water.
+
+Then she sat down before the vases where the two rival flowers
+displayed their charms. She was bitterly conscious of being impelled
+by a new inner force, an almost evil force. And she looked from the
+mantel to the ivory Virgin, whose open hands seemed to be showering
+blessings.
+
+Esperance looked back to the white orchid.
+
+"If I do not marry that man I am lost," she thought.
+
+Almost terrified, she got up and walked about to calm herself, to
+conquer the instinct which her reason told her was wrong. Still under
+the strain of the emotions of the triumphal day, and to escape the
+disagreeable thought the sight of the radiant gardenias provoked in
+her, she began to write a long letter to the Countess Styvens. That
+soothed her nervousness a little. She poured out all her heart in the
+letter, for she knew that this woman loved her independently of the
+love of her son--loved her entirely for her own self.
+
+Two days later Esperance received a letter from the Director of the
+Comedie-Francaise, asking her to call at four o'clock that same day at
+the theatre. At the right hour she went with her mother and Mlle.
+Frahender. Without delay she was at once engaged, for Madame Darbois
+had the spoken and written authority of her husband to make what
+arrangements her daughter should desire. The Director was most
+complimentary to the young actress and asked what role she would care
+to choose for her debut. Esperance proclaimed her preference for
+"_Dona Sol_" in _Hernani_ or "_Camille_" in "_On ne badine pas
+avec
+l'amour_."
+
+Her heart was filled with emotion as she was leaving the great house
+of which in future she would be a part. The Place du Carrousel, the
+perspective of the Tuileries, and the Champs Elysees seemed more
+beautiful than ever before. The passers-by were charming. Everything,
+everywhere, spoke only of happiness and hope.
+
+"Mama, dear mama, I am so happy."
+
+
+
+
+
+PART III. THE COUNTRY
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+After the recent excitement at the Conservatoire, following the
+competition, Esperance was delighted to act upon the Doctor's advice
+to leave Paris. Doctor Potain had told the philosopher that it was
+absolutely imperative that his daughter should have two or three
+months of absolute quiet. He suggested the mountains; but Esperance
+would have none of them. She loved far horizons and vast plains, but
+her real choice was the sea. So it was decided that the family should
+go to their little farm at Belle-Isle-en-Mer.
+
+"You must go immediately," the Doctor commanded, "and to begin with
+you must have two weeks' complete repose, in the sun, in a comfortable
+reclining chair."
+
+Esperance was beside herself with joy. To see the pretty farm again
+nestling in its circle of tall tamarisks, to dream for hours by the
+seaside, to breathe the breath of furze and seaweed! The windows of
+her room overlooked the land on one side, and on the other she had
+wild ocean, studded with black rocks gleaming under the sea's
+caresses.
+
+Maurice Renaud, Jean Perliez and Genevieve Hardouin were invited by
+the Darbois to spend their vacation at the farm of Penhouet. Their
+arrival at the Gare d'Orsay was a complete surprise to Esperance, who
+threw herself on her father's neck, sobbing with pleasure.
+
+He chided her gently, "Daughter, are you going to break your word to
+the Doctor?"
+
+So she at once began to laugh in the midst of her tears.
+
+"No, papa dear, only I have not yet begun to keep it. The cure will
+only commence with my first day in the long chair on the seashore. So
+you see I can still cry a little in gratitude for all your
+thoughtfulness."
+
+The trip was gay, thanks to Maurice's nonsense. Modern painter,
+cosmopolitan, elegant, and cultivated gentleman, he could still become
+frolicsome and frivolous with nonsense in happy company.
+
+M. Darbois, ordinarily so quiet, laughed at his antics till the tears
+came, while Mme. Darbois smiled that pleasant smile that had first
+long ago appealed to Francois's heart. As to Mlle. Frahender, the
+artist's wit fairly made her dizzy. As at Brussels, she soon gave up
+trying to follow him, for at the moment when she thought she had
+caught the trend of his humour he had already branched off into
+another anecdote, this time serious, and her laugh would come too
+late. So she tried to read the names of the little stations flying
+past, but the speed of the train was so great that, like Maurice's
+anecdotes, she only got as far as the first syllable. She closed her
+eyes and slept.
+
+They changed trains at Auray about six in the morning. The young
+people took charge of the luggage while Maurice went to make sure that
+the portmanteau with his canvas and paints was securely on the right
+train. With his mind at rest, he joined them at the little buffet,
+where they were having shrimps, pink as roses, fresh eggs, coffee and
+the little cakes of the countryside.
+
+"This way for Quiberon," called out the guard. And the train carried
+the whole family away to its next stage.
+
+When Esperance breathed the life-giving breath of the sea, when she
+could distinguish the green line of ocean beyond the trees, she
+clapped her hands with ecstasy. She became a guide for Genevieve,
+explaining to her the conformation of Carnac, and recounting with
+pretty fancy the legends of the country they were passing through.
+
+At last the train stopped at Quiberon. They stopped at the Hotel de
+France to speak to the Proprietress, Mme. Le Dantec, and get a picnic
+dinner from her to take with them. The boat, the _Soulacroup,_
+was filling the air with its second whistle, so they had to hurry
+along. The tide was not yet full, so they had to climb down the slimy
+quay, slippery with trodden seaweed, shiny with fish scales. The boat
+was taking on board a dozen red hogs that snorted mightily. Several
+women with well-laden baskets settled themselves in the fore part of
+the vessel, using the baskets as a barricade between themselves and
+the pigs. Our travellers settled themselves as well as possible, which
+was not well at all, on the little bridge under an awning. However,
+Esperance found it all delightful.
+
+The trip was rather rough and uncomfortable, but most of the company
+made the best of it. Mlle. Frahender grew pale and ill, and her hair
+flew about in the most comic disarray. Cosily ensconced in a corner,
+Maurice sketched the various attitudes his companions assumed with
+every antic of the lightly-laden, wave-tossed Soulacroup. Hunched up
+on the seat, Esperance clung to the rigging. Genevieve clutched at her
+when a wave pitched the boat too far over. The others, well muffled
+up, waited in silence. Jean Perliez sighted the shore continually with
+his glasses, wishing it ever nearer so that his impatient idol might
+soon be safe on shore again.
+
+In due course the port of Palais came in view. The Soulacroup's
+whistle shrieked through the air and in a quarter of an hour more they
+landed. First the red pigs were taken off, tottering even on solid
+land, no doubt brooding over the evils they had just passed through.
+
+Maurice was enthusiastic when he caught a good view of the little port
+of Palais, filled with a hundred little boats lined with blue nets.
+The tuna boats carried from their ropes and around their sides long,
+stiff silver tunas, so bright in the sun's rays that they hurt the
+eyes.
+
+"Oh! Do look," cried Esperance.
+
+A little boat had just approached, overladen with sardines, and soon a
+silver shower was falling on the hard stones of the quay. It was a
+beautiful sight, and the excitement of the Parisians amused the jolly
+fishermen mightily.
+
+Francois Darbois led his party to the carriage that was waiting, a
+brake with six seats, drawn by two farm horses. The farmer on the box
+seat was beaming with pride at the return of his patrons.
+
+It is more than an hour's journey from Palais to Penhouet, but the
+road seemed short, on account of its variety of view. Leaving Palais,
+there was first of all the ropemakers rolling long strands of hemp
+with their fingers almost bleeding over the task. They had chosen a
+charming spot; shaded by a little orchard they worked and sang the
+ropemaker's song, with a lingering, dragging melody. And then, after
+passing a little wood, the island itself came into view. It was
+covered with gorse, like a series of Oriental carpets dotted with the
+gold of the broom in bloom, woven with rose heather, and red heather,
+and purple heather. The bright green foliage of the wild roses
+"appeared" like arabesques. The sky, hanging low, bluish green,
+without a cloud, seemed as a silken film stretched to filter the heat
+of the sun. At a turn in the road the plain disappeared to give place
+to little hills, which rise from every side to defend from wind and
+rain the beautiful golden wheat, with its heads drooping under the
+weight of the heavy grain.
+
+"Ah!" cried Esperance joyfully, standing up in the carriage, "I can
+see there is the farm just ahead."
+
+The road dropped abruptly so they had to put on the brakes in spite of
+Esperance's impatience.
+
+And the two young girls, clinging to each other, saw the little
+red-roofed farm house enlarge, as they grew nearer. At last the
+carriage stopped, and the farmer's wife came forward to meet them
+with her three children. At twenty-six she looked forty, like most
+peasant women exhausted by work and child-bearing. Madame Darbois
+caressed the children, who had just been having their ears washed
+and their hair combed vigorously to prepare them for the advent of
+their master's family.
+
+The farm house was long, and close to the earth, being only one
+story high. The front door gave directly on the same level into the
+dining-room, a large room which also served as the salon or parlour,
+with a bright kitchen to one side, where shining casseroles spoke of
+the order of the proprietors; to the left, was a large bedroom, sacred
+to the Darbois themselves. Close to the kitchen was a very comfortable
+room for Marguerite and the other maid. A wooden staircase led to six
+rooms above, which were very airy, and all hung with bright chintzes.
+Mlle. Frahender was installed next to Esperance, with Genevieve on the
+other side. The two young men were sent to what was known as the "Five
+Divisions of the World," being composed of five cabins, Europe, Asia,
+Africa, America and Oceania. These five rooms were always reserved for
+guests, were built of pitchpine, and their windows gave directly on
+the sea.
+
+Farther away, at the edge of the fields, were the farmer's quarters,
+with a long pond full of reeds and iris, hard by and adjoining the
+pond a pigeon house with sixteen white pigeons which were very dear to
+Esperance. She loved to see them fly across the water, like pretty
+messengers disporting between two skies.
+
+After a frugal dinner the young people climbed the dills as far as
+Penhouet. The bay was surrounded on all sides by high rocks, behind
+which were hidden smaller rocks, covered with mosses, and mussels; and
+on the right the cliff hollowed out into a dark cave facing the land.
+This little beach, cheerful by day, grew mysterious with the fall of
+night. Esperance could point out Quiberon, outlined across the way
+between land and sky like a ribbon of light. The little lighthouse,
+high on the plateau above the farm, sent out its long lunar arms
+regularly to sweep the country and search the sea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+Esperance kept her word to Doctor Potain, and spent fifteen days
+stretched out in a cosy lounge chair. The particular part of the beach
+had been chosen by Maurice, for it was during this time of forced
+repose that he intended to do his cousin's portrait for the next
+Salon. In a little hollow of the hill, he settled the chair. A great
+tamarisk with feathery foliage of bright green formed a background. To
+the right was the sea, to the left a glowering mass of dark rocks.
+Jean and Genevieve took turns in reading aloud, and the picture was
+said to be progressing famously. During the first two weeks Esperance
+spent about five hours every day in the chair, but from the sixteenth
+day she only devoted one hour for posing, after lunch, and then she
+began to organize excursions to explore the country round about.
+
+One morning as the four young people were returning from a bicycle
+ride, they saw ahead of them the little brake on its return journey
+from Palais to the farm which Mme. Darbois had used on a shopping
+expedition with Marguerite. In the brake were two other persons--two
+men. The excursionists were still too far from the carriage to
+recognize the strangers. But Esperance, who was watching, stopped
+suddenly. Genevieve, who was behind her, almost rode into her, and had
+to jump lightly from her wheel. Maurice and Jean were some distance
+behind. She called to them. They were much concerned to find
+Esperance, with a pale face, clenching her hands on the handle-bar.
+
+"What is it, cousin, what ails you?"
+
+At first she did not speak at all, then her eyes lost their far-away
+look and she gazed at Jean.
+
+"I don't know," she said in a changed voice, "I think I had some
+hallucination come upon me."
+
+Then she pointed towards the distant brake which was approaching
+Penhouet at a great pace.
+
+"What did you see?" Maurice insisted. "You have had a dizzy feeling
+come over you? You must be careful."
+
+"Yes, perhaps so," she went on, shaking her head as if to rid it of
+some vague thoughts that were disturbing her brain, "perhaps so. But
+let us be quick, for one of the gentlemen was Doctor Potain."
+
+"Were there two men," asked Jean.
+
+"Yes, two."
+
+And she started off again at a great pace.
+
+Jean was dolefully perplexed.
+
+When they arrived at the farm they were quite breathless from their
+long ride. The philosopher was waiting for them at the door.
+
+"Esperance, my dear," he said, "Doctor Potain is here with the Duke de
+Morlay-La-Branche. Your mother met them at the Palais, just as they
+had landed from the boat and were looking for a carriage."
+
+"Very well, father, I must change my things and I will be with you as
+quickly as possible."
+
+Jean Perliez understood the emotion of his dear little comrade. She
+seemed to him at once terrified and fascinated. Maurice was presented
+to the Duke, who immediately began to make himself agreeable. He was
+quite anxious he said to see the portrait of which M. Darbois had
+spoken, so Maurice led him up the hill side. The portrait was on an
+easel, and from a distance the Duke almost thought that he was seeing
+the real Esperance, the little girl who was troubling his life. He was
+delighted with the freshness of the colouring, and the perfection of
+the likeness, so necessary when the model is so beautiful.
+
+Maurice was pleased by the appreciation of such a skilled dilettante,
+the praise was evidently sincere. He was very much taken with the
+Duke, who predicted a glorious future for him.
+
+Jean waited at the foot of the staircase leading to the girl's rooms,
+and watched them descend. Esperance was looking radiant. She had
+dressed herself with particular care. He understood the tremors of her
+heart and decided to keep watch in case she should need him.
+
+When the girls came into the hall, the Duke was talking to Maurice,
+and the Doctor to Francois Darbois. The gentlemen had not heard the
+door open, but intuitively the Duke turned around.
+
+Esperance met his burning eyes which were veiled by an expression that
+suggested repentant submission. She inclined her head slowly and went
+straight up to Doctor Potain, thanking him for coming, and apologizing
+for having kept him waiting. Potain led her into her parents' room. He
+was much disturbed by the uneven beating of her heart, stormier than
+he had ever heard it.
+
+"That is because I just rushed foolishly on my bicycle to see you,
+Doctor. I recognized you a long way off. So...."
+
+The Doctor looked closely at the young girl. Her eyes shone with
+abnormal brightness. He sounded her, but found nothing wrong except
+the irregularity of her heart. He sent Esperance back to the salon so
+that he could talk with her father alone. The Duke hastened to
+apologize for having come thus without notice. He was staying at the
+Chateau of Castel-Montjoie with Doctor Potain, and when he heard that
+the Doctor was leaving for Belle-Isle, he could not resist the
+opportunity to come and ask pardon. He talked a long time, with
+ardent, almost brotherly tenderness; asked when Esperance thought of
+making her appearance at the Comedie-Francaise, urging her to play
+_"Camille,"_ and spoke with considerable praise of Musset's
+heroine.
+
+"The character of the young girl seems to have been caught alive. I
+criticize her only for her hardness."
+
+"But," Esperance replied quickly, "that hardness is simply a light
+veneer, the result of her education. _'Camille_,' who knew
+nothing of life except through the disillusioned account of her friend
+in the Convent, would soon become human if _'Perdican'_ had a
+less complicated psychology."
+
+She stopped, and was silent a minute.
+
+The Duke looked at her.
+
+"All the world has not the candour of a Count Styvens," he said.
+
+This unfortunate sentence exactly answered a fleeting thought that was
+passing in Esperance's brain.
+
+"So much the worse for 'all the world,'" she said quietly and left
+him.
+
+Her father and Doctor Potain came in at this moment.
+
+"What are you plotting against me?" she said, going up to them.
+
+Francois caressed her velvet cheek. "You shall soon know."
+
+The Duke had remained dumbfounded in his chair. The sudden mastery of
+this child, who had for the second time rebuked him, touched his
+pride. His instinct as an irresistible charmer told him she was not
+indifferent to him. Still he could not define in what way he appealed
+to her. Was it physical? Was it of a higher order? After a little
+cogitation, he concluded that that was the secret. However, he was
+wrong. Esperance was subjugated by the attraction of his masculinity
+and strength, which was subtly energetic and audacious. His taste and
+independence appealed to her artistic nature. His vibrant voice, the
+grace of his slender hands, the lightness of his spirits always alert,
+his superiority at every sport, made the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche
+quite like a real hero of romance. He had expected to subjugate the
+little Parisian idol, and found himself thwarted by her. This rather
+annoyed him, and he vowed to conquer her.
+
+Doctor Potain, who was looking at his watch, now chimed in with, "My
+dear Duke, we must be thinking of leaving; the boat will not wait for
+us."
+
+Charles de Morlay thanked his farm hosts, and after bowing elegantly
+over Mme. Darbois's hand, looked for Esperance.
+
+"Jean," said Professor Darbois, "look and see if you can find
+Esperance, and tell her to come and say good-bye to our dear Doctor."
+
+But Jean returned alone. Esperance was not to be found. She had flown.
+
+"She had not forgotten about the boat," said the young actor.
+
+"Perhaps she has gone on her bicycle to gather news of old mother
+Kabastron, who is very ill. That is about ten minutes' distance from
+here. I will ride ahead on my bicycle."
+
+The Duke laughed gaily, and prepared a scathing witticism with which
+to wither the young girl. But he did not have the pleasure of
+delivering it to Esperance, who had hidden herself behind her portrait
+at the foot of the rook.
+
+She reappeared much later, and was rebuked by her father for having
+shown such discourtesy to his guests.
+
+"You know very well, papa dear, that I am very grateful to Doctor
+Potain, and I should not have gone away if he had been alone."
+
+M. and Mme. Darbois looked at each other and at Esperance.
+
+"Yes, my dear little mother, the Duke makes himself too agreeable for
+your big daughter."
+
+"But," said the philosopher, "I have never noticed it."
+
+"You were absorbed in a philosophic discussion with the Doctor, and
+the Duke was not speaking very loud."
+
+"Can you not be more definite?" asked Francois Darbois a little
+nervously.
+
+Jean intervened, "May I say something?"
+
+"Certainly, my boy."
+
+"Well then. I heard the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche make fun of the
+honesty of Count Styvens, and at that Esperance abruptly broke off the
+conversation."
+
+Francois turned towards Esperance.
+
+"That is so," she said, kissing her father, "so tell me that you are
+not angry with your little daughter."
+
+For answer he kissed her tenderly.
+
+"Ah! if I could find a way to shelter you from so much admiration,
+from being so much sought after. Yet I don't know very well how to
+defend you."
+
+"Do not reproach yourself, dear father, you have been so good, so
+trusting. I will never betray that confidence, and my godfather will
+be obliged to consume all his own horrid prophecies."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+When Esperance's portrait was finished, the family could not admire it
+enough. Maurice who was for himself, as for others, a severe critic,
+said, "It is the first time that I have been satisfied with my own
+work. Little cousin, you have brought me luck, so if my uncle will
+permit me I am going to teach you to ride a horse."
+
+"My goodness!" said Madame Darbois, "still more anxiety for us!"
+
+But Esperance clasped her hands with delight.
+
+The first riding lessons were a source of new joy for Esperance.
+Maurice was an excellent rider, and his passion for horses had made
+him expert in handling them. He had chosen a horse for his cousin from
+a stable in the Cotes-du-Nord, the private stable of the Count Marcus
+de Treilles, the horse had been secured at a bargain on account of
+some blemishes of his coat. He was very gentle, however, and the
+Darbois soon felt confidence in him. Doctor Potain had recommended a
+great deal of physical exercise for the patient, to counteract the
+excess of mental work which had weakened her heart.
+
+"Riding, fishing, walking, tennis," the great specialist had said to
+Francois Darbois, "will be the best thing for your daughter, and,"
+pressing his hand, "let her get married as soon as possible."
+
+Long excursions about the little island became for Esperance the most
+delightful part of their country life. Very often M. and Madame
+Darbois, Mlle. Frahender and Genevieve Hardouin would follow in the
+brake. They carried their lunch with them and ate it sometimes in the
+little wood of Loret, sometimes on the cliffs amidst the broom, furze
+and asters with their golden flowers and silver foliage.
+
+The philosopher's fishing fleet was composed, as he laughingly said,
+of a blue boat with blue sails, and a little Swedish whaler. Francois
+went every evening about six o'clock to set the nets with the farmer's
+eldest son, whose portrait Maurice intended doing for the following
+Salon. All the little colony gathered at nine in the morning on the
+beach, ready with baskets to bear away the catch.
+
+Maurice, Jean and Esperance went out with the Professor to get the
+nets. Sometimes they had been put far out and then Esperance would row
+with the others, for which rough sport her delicate arms seemed out of
+place. The young people would cry out with delight every time they saw
+the fish under the transparent water held by the meshes. Sometimes
+they had quite a big draught; two or three rays, several magnificent
+soles, with mullets, and flounders. Sometimes a great lobster would
+give the net such tweaks that they guessed his presence before they
+saw him. And sometimes it happened that the catch was nothing but a
+few sea crabs, who would half devour the other unfortunate fish
+imprisoned with them. Another day a great octopus appeared, and
+Esperance grew pale with fright at sight of his long clinging
+tentacles.
+
+Esperance often made a selection of the seaweeds in the net, and she
+and Genevieve commenced an album in which they pasted, in fanciful
+designs, these plants, fine as straws or solid and sharp of colour.
+This album was intended for Mme. Styvens, and the girls worked at it
+lovingly. Maurice would sometimes assist them with his advice or make
+them a sketch which they could copy as carefully as their beautiful
+materials would admit. Mlle. Frahender devoted infinite patience to
+gluing the tiniest fibres of the sea plants. Some were bright pink,
+suggesting in formation and colour the little red fishing boats.
+Others were gold with their slender little flowers rising in clusters.
+The long supple green algaes, swelling along their stems into little
+round beads, like beads of jade, looked as though they wore some
+Chinese costume. As the album grew it gave promise of wonderful
+surprises.
+
+On the first of September Francois Darbois received a letter from
+Count Styvens, asking permission to come and submit to him a
+philosophical work that he had just finished. He begged to present his
+compliments to Mme. and Mlle. Darbois. The professor read the letter
+aloud after dinner.
+
+"I hardly think," he queried, "that I can well refuse this pleasure to
+my favourite pupil?"
+
+Maurice, Jean, the old Mademoiselle and Mme. Darbois seemed very happy
+at the prospect of a visit from the Count.
+
+"He is a very good musician...." "He can row splendidly...." "He has a
+heart of gold...." concluded the philosopher.
+
+A dispatch was sent to Albert Styvens, telling him they would all be
+delighted to see him. Only Esperance showed some reserve, and Maurice
+cried out, "My cousin is in dread of musical evenings, I see!"
+
+They all laughed at this quip, which had a very close resemblance to
+the truth.
+
+"Yes, papa, but no music after dinner: our evenings would be lost! It
+is so pleasant to go for long walks on these wonderful moonlight
+nights! The piano is for the town, here we only want to enjoy the
+harmonious music of nature, the sea that croons or roars, the wind
+that whistles, whistles or scolds, the plaint of the sea-gulls in the
+storm, the cry of the frightened gulls and cormorants, the clicking of
+the pebbles rolled over by the waves; all these charm me strangely and
+I often sleep on the little beach, soothed by these melodies which you
+will find echoed in the themes of our great masters."
+
+The philosopher drew his daughter on his knee.
+
+"Very well. We will not mention music to your lover."
+
+The word had slipped out but it stung the young girl, however, she
+would not let her resentment appear.
+
+"So," she thought, "they all accept the courting of Albert Styvens. My
+father himself is part of the conspiracy against me."
+
+She led Genevieve outside and confided to her her apprehensions. Her
+young friend did not deny that the coming of Count Styvens had the
+appearance to all of an approaching proposal of marriage.
+
+"My God," said Esperance, pressing her friend's arm, "it seems to me
+that I shall never be able to say 'Yes.' I am so happy as I am."
+
+The two girls were sitting on a little mound. The moon was reflected
+in a sea as quiet as the sky.
+
+"See," said Esperance, "that is the image of my life. At this moment I
+am calm, happy, and my art is like that bright star. It brightens
+everything for me without troubling me.... I do not love Count
+Styvens. Oh!" she went on in answer to a movement from Genevieve, "I
+like him as a friend, but I do not love him. I know he is a gallant
+gentleman, a fine musician, and a splendid athlete; I recognize that
+he is very generous and that he is entirely unselfish--for these I
+greatly respect him, but these qualities alone have nothing to do with
+love."
+
+"He is a very good-looking man," said Genevieve.
+
+"His arms are too long and he has not any decided colour. His face,
+his hair, his eyes are all of a neutral tint which you cannot define."
+
+"But handsome men are very rare!"
+
+Esperance did not answer.
+
+"There is the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, too. Do you like him any
+better?"
+
+The moon shone full on Esperance's face.
+
+"Great Heavens, dearie," exclaimed Genevieve quickly, "you are not in
+love with that man, I hope."
+
+"Don't speak so loud," said Esperance, frightened. "No, I am not in
+love with the Duke, but he bothers me, I confess. He is continually in
+my mind, and the thought of him makes the blood rush to my heart. When
+he is present I can struggle against him, but I have no strength
+against the picture of him I so often conjure up. That dominates me
+more than he can do himself. That seems innocent enough, but I know
+very well all the same, that I find every excuse for dwelling on the
+thought of him. No, I do not love him ... but still...." she murmured
+very low.
+
+Genevieve took her friend in her arms.
+
+"Esperance, darling, save yourself! Think of the downfall of your
+mother's happiness, think of the fearful remorse of your father. Think
+of your godfather's iniquitous triumph. Ah! I beg of you, accept the
+Count's love, become his wife, you will be constrained by your loyalty
+to save your father's honour. But the Duke...."
+
+"My father's honour is precious to me, and you see, I am defending it
+badly," said Esperance. She wept quietly. Genevieve drew her head down
+on her shoulder. Esperance kissed her.
+
+"Come, we must go back, it is getting late. I thank you, Genevieve,
+and I love you."
+
+A letter arrived the next morning which announced that the Count would
+pay them his visit on Thursday.
+
+There were just three days before his coming. Esperance had made up
+her mind, after her talk with Genevieve, to accede to her parents'
+wishes. She and Genevieve went to inspect the room that had been
+prepared for the Count. It was a little square apartment very nicely
+arranged. On the floor was a mat with red and white squares. The
+windows looked out on the rocky coast. The young people decided to
+hang some small variegated laurels from the ceiling to decorate it. On
+the mantel they put some flower vases on either side of a plaque
+representing the golden wedding of a Breton couple. Mme. Darbois
+opened for them what Esperance called her "reliquary," and they found
+there flowers and ribbons. They chose wisteria, and lavender and white
+ribbons, then went to work on their wreath. A large crown of pretty
+bunches was hung from satin ribbons. When it was ready the four young
+people went with ladder and tools to hang the wreaths, Maurice
+standing high up on the ladder drove in the peg intended to hold the
+crown.
+
+"As reward for this service, you know," he said, "I must be allowed to
+put the wreath on your pretty head, the day that you are married."
+
+Esperance blushed and sighed sadly.
+
+The room was charming in its decoration, though when it was finished
+it seemed more fit for a young girl than for a big, broad-shouldered
+man.
+
+M. and Mme. Darbois went to meet Count Styvens at Palais. Francois had
+taken his glasses and pointed out the boat to his wife.
+
+"There is the Count," said Mme. Darbois. "I recognize his tall
+figure."
+
+In truth, Albert Styvens was stepping ashore, holding in his arms a
+child of two or three years. He put it down carefully, and held out
+his hand to a poor, bent old woman, who tried to straighten up to
+thank the kind gentleman.
+
+Francois and Germaine came up to the young man, who pressed the
+philosopher's hand and presented his respects to Mme. Darbois: and
+seeing them look with some curiosity at the old woman, he said, "Here,
+Madame, are some good people deserving of your kindness. Mme. Borderie
+is this little chap's grandmother. Her widowed son died five months
+ago of tuberculosis, and as the child was coughing she gave everything
+she had to take him to a specialist in Nantes. The rough sea to-day
+made the poor little fellow ill, bringing on a horrible coughing
+attack. The poor woman was too weak to hold him during his
+convulsions, and he rolled away from her, and she was so frightened
+when he did not move, that she was going to throw herself overboard. I
+rushed with the other passengers to stop her, we calmed her finally,
+and after some little time I was able to resuscitate the child, who
+had gone off in a fit."
+
+The poor woman wept as he talked, and showed a banknote he had slipped
+into her hand when he said good-bye.
+
+"You must put that away. You will need it," said the young Count,
+smiling.
+
+"Where do you live?" enquired Germaine.
+
+"At Pont-Herlin."
+
+"That is some distance away?"
+
+The old woman shook her head and feebly shrugged her thin shoulders.
+
+"I must go there."
+
+"Well, Mme. Borderie, we will take you there."
+
+Without further parley, Albert picked the old woman up lightly and set
+her down in the brake. The baby was deposited on her knees where he
+promptly fell asleep. The Count's little trunk found place beside the
+farmer on the front seat. A basket of osier, which the young man had
+handled very carefully, was also placed in the brake, and then they
+set off for Pont-Herlin.
+
+They were growing anxious at the farm of Penhouet, at the non-appearance
+of M. and Mme. Darbois, Pont-Herlin lies some way from the Point des
+Poulains and the roads are not in very good condition, especially for
+a two horse brake. But soon the wind brought the sound of horse's hoofs
+and shortly after the brake drew up before the farm. Albert went white
+at sight of Esperance. She had come forward first, fearful on account
+of the delay. Mme. Darbois explained the cause, and spoke of the Count's
+great kindness, to the old woman and her boy.
+
+Esperance raised her pretty eyes, damp with emotion; she looked at
+Albert, wishing she could admire his person as much as she did his
+mind. And, somehow, as she looked she was agreeably surprised.
+
+"After all, he is not ugly, if he is not handsome," she thought, "and
+he is so genuinely good."
+
+In this state of mind she left her hand an instant in his and he
+trembled.
+
+The young people were anxious to lead Styvens to his room. Francois,
+however, was not allowed to accompany them. They marched two ahead,
+two behind, with the Count between, like a prisoner. Never before had
+Albert seen Esperance so naturally gay, never had he found her more
+fascinating. He was almost delirious with happiness. Life seemed to
+him only possible with this lovely creature for his wife! His wife!
+Such an accession of blood gushed into his heart at the thought that
+he stopped giddily.
+
+Jean and Genevieve, who closed the order of march, bumped against him,
+for he stopped so suddenly that they thought something must be wrong.
+
+"Good Heavens! are you ill?" asked Genevieve.
+
+The Count smiled. "Excuse me, I am sorry. It was my mistake."
+
+As they went on again Maurice whispered to his cousin, "You know,
+Esperance, you have it in your power to make that man happy for ever.
+I can see it. Why it seems to be almost a duty. It will be like
+offending Providence to refuse the wonderful future that lies open
+before you."
+
+Esperance was very thoughtful, but her gay spirits returned when they
+arrived at the "Five Divisions of the World." The little cortege
+climbed the narrow staircase, crossed the little ante-chamber which
+opened on the opposite side on a court cut out of the rock. Each room
+had a door on this natural court. Stopping before the last door, on
+which was written "Oceania," the young people bowed before the Count.
+
+"Behold the prison of your Highness!"
+
+When he was left alone the Count examined his surroundings. His simple
+chamber seemed to him sumptuous. He smelt the flowers on the
+mantelpiece, half suspecting that they were an attention of the young
+girls. The wreath suspended from the ceiling made him smile. It had
+been hung there in his honour, there could be no doubt about that.
+There was a knock on the door. Marguerite entered, followed by the
+farmer bringing the trunk and the osier basket.
+
+He stopped the old servant as she was going out. "Wait a moment and
+help me, please."
+
+He cut the string which held the basket and took out four bouquets as
+fresh as if they had just been gathered.
+
+"See, Marguerite, the name is pinned on each bouquet; be so good as to
+give them to the ladies."
+
+At half-past one the Count appeared walking up and down before the
+door of the dining-room. He did not want to be the first one to enter.
+Maurice joined him.
+
+"I would love to see the portrait of your cousin," said Albert.
+
+"I will show it to you after lunch."
+
+"Is it finished?"
+
+"Yes; but I still have some retouching to do to the background, and I
+shall be glad to have your advice upon it. It is not perhaps exactly
+necessary, yet every time that I look at it, I feel the need of some
+slight change."
+
+Genevieve and Esperance came in together. The contrast of this double
+entry was striking. Genevieve, dark, with regular features, framed by
+a mass of heavy black hair; Esperance, shell pink, aureoled by her
+wavy blonde hair. Genevieve was so beautiful that Maurice was moved.
+Esperance was so dazzling that the Count mentally praised God at the
+sight of her. He was warmly thanked for his pretty flowers, several
+blossoms of which each girl had pinned to her dress.
+
+When the fish appeared, Maurice rose gravely.
+
+"This magnificent fish, sir," he said to Albert Styvens, "was caught
+by me for you; it is for you to decide whether to share it with us or
+whether you prefer to eat it alone."
+
+The young attache arose and with more humour than they expected from
+him, took the platter and bowed with it towards Mme. Darbois. The
+conversation raced merrily along, and they were soon disputing about
+sports. The Count learned that Esperance rode on horseback. He was
+delighted, and inquired if he would be able to procure a mount. Jean
+offered his, but the Count, who knew of his love for Esperance and
+divined what a joy these excursions must be to him, refused this
+sacrifice. The farmer's wife, who helped to wait at table and was
+ignorant of social customs, forthwith entered the conversation.
+
+"Ah! if Madame will permit me, I can bring you to the Commandant, who
+has a fine horse to sell."
+
+"You may have no fish this evening," said the professor genially. "As
+I was away meeting you, I could not put out my net."
+
+"But we did it, father," said Esperance, "and I hope that Count
+Styvens will have some magnificent luck. We go fishing this evening."
+
+"So, you are a fisherwoman too, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"We fish every morning, and we shall be very glad to have you join
+us," said the girl quietly.
+
+After lunch the Count joined the four young people in a ramble along
+the cliffs. Esperance and Genevieve went arm in arm, the three young
+men followed; with Styvens in a dream of delight, happier than he had
+ever been in his life. Maurice was watching Genevieve every day seeing
+her more beautiful, and abandoning himself without much effort to this
+new passion. Jean Perliez contemplated Esperance and smiled sadly, if
+gladly too, at the thought that she was going to be delivered from the
+dangerous Duke de Morlay-La-Branche. They sat down on a high rock
+overlooking the little beach of Penhouet and remained silent for a
+while.
+
+"How very beautiful it is," murmured Albert at last. "You love the
+sea, do you not, Mlle. Esperance?"
+
+"More than anything else in nature. I love great plains too, but I
+like them best because they are like the sea when they billow under
+the breeze."
+
+"You don't like the mountains at all?" asked Genevieve.
+
+"Oh! no, I stifle there. I dream at night that they are pressing in to
+strangle me. I went to Cauterets with mama after she had bronchitis. I
+spent all my time climbing to get a view of a horizon and breathe
+better. As soon as mama was well the Doctor sent us away saying that
+it was not good for me."
+
+"And the forest?" asked Albert.
+
+"The forest hides the sky too much. Nothing makes me as sad as the
+deep woods."
+
+"And the lakes, cousin, what do you say of them?"
+
+"A lake makes me shiver. I feel constrained before a lake as before a
+person whom I know to be false and perfidious. Of course, the sea is
+dangerous, but no one is ignorant of its caprices, its violence, its
+tragic love bouts with the wind. The sea is open, whether in laughter
+or fury. See, look off there," she said, standing upon the rock. "This
+evening it is calm as a lake, and still the waves are all rippling,
+preparing for an assault on this rock! It is so immensely alive, even
+in its great reserve!"
+
+The silhouette of the young girl, cut against the horizon, was blurred
+by the passing night mist. She seemed a flower blooming by moon-light.
+Maurice said in a low tone to Genevieve, "See if you can realize this
+picture. It is beyond the power of any painter."
+
+"One of the aboriginals might have succeeded. He would not have been
+guided by any of the conventions that are introduced in all the arts
+and bar the way to the realism of the ideal, which is dear to all true
+artists."
+
+"The realism of the ideal is very true, but how are you going to make
+amateurs or critics feel that?"
+
+"Oh!" replied Genevieve, with much conviction, "There is always an
+amateur of the beautiful, there is always a critic who describes his
+emotion sincerely, it is for them that I give my tears when I am on
+the stage."
+
+Esperance dropped on her knees, and taking her friend's head in her
+hands, "You are always right, Genevieve," she said. "It is a great
+gift to have you for a friend."
+
+"My little cousin speaks truth," concluded Maurice.
+
+Genevieve stretched out her hand with a smile to thank him. The young
+man kept the contact of that charming strong hand and kissed it with
+more warmth than convention required.
+
+"Monsieur Maurice," murmured the girl with trembling lips. But she
+could not voice a reproach. She got up to hide her blushes.
+
+"Is not this the time for us to go back? The air is getting sharp, and
+you have no wraps, Esperance."
+
+Count Styvens stood up to his full height and stretched his hands to
+his little idol to help her up, but she had withdrawn before the two
+arms stretched towards her, and recoiled in a kind of fright.
+
+"Did I startle you?"
+
+"Oh! No," she said nervously, "But I was dreaming, I was far away...."
+
+"Where were you, cousin?"
+
+"I don't know. Thoughts are sometimes so scattered that it is hardly
+possible to give a clear impression."
+
+Putting her hands in the Count's she jumped lightly to her feet. The
+young men led the girls back to the farm, and silence descended upon
+the Five Divisions of the Globe.
+
+But love made every one of these young creatures somewhat unsettled,
+and it was long before either of them slept. Esperance and Genevieve
+talked low, and long silences broke their confidences. Count Styvens
+had brought cigarettes for Maurice and Jean. All three stayed and
+talked a long time in the painter's room. Alone with men, Styvens lost
+all the timidity that sometimes made him awkward. His broad and
+cultivated mind, his humanitarian philosophy unaffected by his
+religious beliefs, the sincere simplicity with which he expressed
+himself, made a great impression on Jean and Maurice.
+
+"That man," said the latter to his friend, "is of another epoch, an
+epoch when he would have been a hero or a martyr!"
+
+"Perhaps he may yet be both," murmured Jean.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+Next morning Albert Styvens asked Maurice to show him the portrait of
+Esperance. He gazed at it a long time in silent admiration. He could
+gaze his fill at a portrait without outraging the conventions.
+
+"What marvellous delicacy! Oh! the blue of the eyes! The mother of
+pearl of the temples!"
+
+He sat down, quivering with emotion, and looked frankly at Maurice.
+
+"I love your cousin; you know that, don't you?"
+
+Maurice nodded.
+
+"I have loved her for a year, and you see me here, still hesitating to
+speak to her father."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because I know that she does not love me.... Oh! I believe," he went on
+sadly, "I hope, at least that she does feel some friendship for me--but
+if she declines my proposal... what else would ever matter to me?"
+
+Maurice came and sat down beside him.
+
+"Your mother?" he queried.
+
+"My mother loves Esperance devotedly, and she has a very real
+admiration for your uncle as well. She is very religious. M. Darbois's
+philosophical books, which deny nothingness and proclaim the ideal,
+have been a great comfort to her in her voluntary solitude. She would
+be very happy to know if I could be happy."
+
+"But," objected Maurice. "I am afraid that my cousin does not wish to
+give up her art--the stage."
+
+"Yes, I am aware of that, but my mother and I have not the stupid
+prejudices of the multitude. Undoubtedly, this union, under such
+conditions, would estrange us from many of our so called friends, and
+I should have to give up the diplomatic service, but that would not
+trouble me. No," he went on, resting his hand on Maurice's knee, "the
+hard part would be to see her every evening surrounded by the
+admiration of so many men. I suffered when she was playing at the
+Vaudeville, and then she was scarcely more than a child, but I heard
+them all commenting on her beauty and it was all I could do to control
+myself. What shall I be if she becomes my wife? Ah! my wife! my wife!
+I really believe, M. Renaud, that her refusal would drive me mad; so,
+I hesitate. Hope is the refuge of the sick; and I am very sick--sick
+at heart."
+
+Maurice felt strangely drawn to this man, so simple, and so frank, and
+so innately refined in thought.
+
+"From to-day I am your ally, and I hope soon to be able to call you
+'dear cousin.' As to her artistic career, Esperance will have to
+sacrifice that for you. We will all try to lead her to this decision,
+but you must not make her unhappy about it."
+
+"I am already disposed to all concessions except those which touch my
+honour, and I assure you that my mother and I are both ready to scorn
+all idle talk."
+
+The girls came up with Jean Perliez. The Count said, "Your portrait is
+a perfect likeness and is, moreover, a beautiful picture. But," he
+exclaimed, "you are all ready for riding!"
+
+"Yes, we are going to Port-Herlin. Won't you come with us? Mama,
+little Mademoiselle and Genevieve, are going in the carriage to carry
+some provisions to poor old Mother Borderie."
+
+"Your invitation is very tempting, and I am going to surprise you
+perhaps by declining. The farmer arranged to have the Commandant's
+horse here for this morning, but he comes accompanied by many warnings
+and I want to try him out when you are not here; if M. Perliez will be
+my guide to Port-Herlin to-day I shall be glad. To-morrow I hope you
+will offer me the same chance again...?"
+
+Esperance smiled delightfully.
+
+"Suppose we have lunch there," said Maurice.
+
+"Papa would be left alone too long, and I want to see if M. Styvens
+can fish as well as ride. We will come back to pull up the nets about
+five o'clock, and then we will have tea in the boat."
+
+The carriage was ready, the horses saddled. The Count had the pleasure
+of assisting the young actress to mount, and then Esperance and
+Maurice set out together, followed by the brake. The Count and Jean
+Perliez took a more roundabout and a steeper way. Albert wanted to
+study the character of his horse. The first to arrive at Port-Herlin
+were to await the others, and together they were to go to visit old
+Mother Borderie.
+
+The dwelling was one of the White Breton houses with thatched roof.
+There were three rooms, the kitchen, where one entered, and two little
+rooms. In the first, fitted in the wall one above the other were two
+narrow beds edged with carved wood; in the second room, four similar
+beds. Large bunches of box, which had been blessed, ornamented the
+beds where the woman's four children had died. The father of the
+little grandson was the last to go. The kitchen was unlighted except
+when the door was open. The bedrooms had each one narrow opening like
+a loophole.
+
+The old woman was sitting beside the hearth, by the side of which was
+an armful of furze. The evening meal was slowly cooking in a marmite
+suspended from a hook. Between her knees she held the child, combing
+his hair. She stopped when she saw the visitors enter, and the child
+ran towards the Count who took him in his arms.
+
+The presents they had brought were unwrapped by the girls. Blouses,
+trousers, clothes for the baby, a woollen dress, a muslin dress, with
+two beautiful fichus in true Breton style for the grandmother. One box
+contained sugar, coffee, and six jars of preserves; another, smoked
+bacon, salt pork, two bottles of candy and prunes, and six bottles of
+red wine. The old woman looked, caressingly felt everything with her
+old knotted fingers, while the tears ran down the furrows that sorrow
+had hollowed in each cheek.
+
+"Ah! if my son had had such good things, perhaps he would not have
+died!"
+
+And she stood before the food with her hands crossed, her eyes lost in
+the distance among old far off memories. Esperance undressed the
+little fellow, and Genevieve looked for water to wash him before
+putting on his new clothes, but despairing of finding any, she tried
+to draw the old woman back from her dream.
+
+"Water?" she said. "I have been too weak these three days to go to the
+well. There is none here but what is in that pitcher there, on the
+board, but don't take it, Mam'selle, the baby is always thirsty."
+
+Genevieve raised her beautiful arm in its loose sleeve and picked up
+the pitcher. She looked at the water and asked with surprise, "This is
+the water you drink?"
+
+"Yes, the cistern is empty, on account of the drought we have had
+these two months, and the spring is a mile away. It is too far for me,
+and especially for the child who is not strong. I don't dare leave him
+alone in the house here; and I don't dare leave him with the
+neighbours. They are too rough and they knock the little fellow about
+and he doesn't understand it is only done in joke, and he cries and
+calls for me and gets such a fever that he almost died one day when I
+left him to go do washing still further away."
+
+"But couldn't you get the neighbours to bring you some water?" asked
+Esperance.
+
+"My young lady, there are thirteen in that family, and one of them is
+ill to death!" she added sighing.
+
+Albert joined in, "Where is the spring?"
+
+"Over there, near the church in the next village."
+
+"Very good, we three will go there," he said, calling Maurice and
+Jean, "and we will bring you back lots of water?"
+
+"Wait till I give you...." she opened the cupboard. "Here is the pail.
+Take care, it is very heavy."
+
+Albert began to laugh. "Come along, my friends. I have got an idea."
+
+Esperance watched him as he went out and for an instant she loved him.
+
+While waiting for the young men to return she settled her mother on a
+chest. The only chair in the house was a straw arm-chair with a high
+back, on which the old Borderie was sitting and which she had not
+thought of offering.
+
+"No doubt," said Mme. Darbois in a low tone, "little by little she has
+had to sell everything she had."
+
+The girls opened a bottle of wine, the jar of prunes and the jar of
+candy, and arranged them on the board pointed out by the poor woman,
+who thanked them simply and said, "Ah! my little lad, how good it will
+be for him!"
+
+"And for you too, you know. Now drink some wine and take some coffee,"
+said Esperance, caressing the grandmother's hands.
+
+"I haven't got enough wood to boil the water."
+
+Madame Darbois looked at the girls contritely. "Wood," she said. "And
+we never thought of it."
+
+"If you aren't poor, you don't have to think," muttered the old woman.
+
+A contraction of the heart, the sting of remorse, pierced Mme. Darbois
+and the two girls.
+
+"To-morrow you shall have plenty of wood, Mme. Borderie."
+
+"That will be very good, kind lady, for then we can have a little
+heat, and that is what the little one needs. The sun never comes into
+my room, ah! it can't, the hole is not big enough. And then in the
+evening when the fog begins, my little boy, he coughs so, and that
+makes me shiver; then I take him in my bed, but my blood is not warm
+enough so he can't get warm. Ah! but that will be good for him, to
+have wood! Thank you."
+
+For the first time her face broke into a smile, for she had almost
+forgotten how to smile. Her life had been nearly all tears. Suddenly
+she raised her head in fright--"What may that noise be?"
+
+At the door a cart stopped. On the cart a big barrel.
+
+"Here is some water, Mme. Borderie, that we are going to pour into
+your cistern."
+
+With the help of the carter and Maurice, Albert got to work and
+behold! the cistern half full. Albert tried the pump.
+
+"Don't waste any, in Heaven's name," cried the old woman.
+
+"No, no, never mind. Anyway there is another barrel on its way."
+
+In fact another cart was stopping before the door. This barrel being
+smaller. Albert, impatient at the peasant's slowness, picked it up
+himself and rolling it along, emptied it like the first in the
+cistern.
+
+"Look there, will you, Mother," cried out the second carter, "that
+isn't any cheap water. The fine gentleman has given a hundred francs
+to the town so you could have that water there."
+
+The Count coloured to the roots of his hair. He thought that Esperance
+had not heard, but he met her contrite glance, full of gratitude. With
+Genevieve's help she washed the little fellow, who was very docile,
+sniffing with pleasure the "good smell" of these ladies. Bathed,
+combed, in his new clothes, he was a darling.
+
+"I don't know you any longer, little boy. Who are you?" chuckled the
+old woman. And she kissed the child, saying, "On Sunday, we will go to
+Mass, you will be as fine as the other little boys."
+
+She saw all her visitors to the door, and when Esperance jumped on her
+horse, "You aren't afraid up there? You know horses aren't exactly
+treacherous, but they are uncertain, and then these dreadful flies
+make them wild. _Au revoir_, Madame; my good gentlemen, thank
+you. Good luck, Mam'zelle."
+
+The four riders returned together. Passing the little village of
+Debers, they had to stop; a big hay wagon barred the way. The peasant
+who was driving was abominably drunk. He swore and struck his horses
+and jerked them violently towards the ditch. Maurice ordered him to
+make way. He laughed foolishly and swore at them insultingly. Maurice
+and the Count started forward, and the peasant menaced them with the
+scythe resting on the seat beside him. In a flash Albert leapt from
+his horse, threw the reins to Maurice, and went straight to the
+drunkard. The fellow tried to brandish his scythe, but already Albert
+had wrenched it from him and threw it aside. Then seizing the man, he
+pulled him down on his knees and held him there until he begged for
+pardon. The rustic, suddenly sobered, and raging with impatience, paid
+in full the apologies exacted by the Count, before he was allowed to
+get up.
+
+Jean, during this contest, had led the horses out of their way. The
+driver, pale with fury, swung his whip at large and it struck
+Esperance's horse. The poor beast, mad with fright, took the bit
+between his teeth and started out on a dizzy run. Albert saw at a
+glance the only possible way to stop his course.
+
+"Go to the left and cut across the road," he cried, "I'll take the
+right."
+
+And he put his horse across the fields.
+
+Esperance's horse did not follow the bend of the road as Styvens had
+expected. Blinded by fright, it made straight ahead towards the
+cliffs.
+
+Once on the rocks, there was the precipice and certain death.
+
+The Count's horse leapt as if it understood what it had to do.
+
+The Count came up just as Esperance lost her seat and fell with one
+foot caught in the stirrup. Her lovely blonde hair swept the earth.
+Twenty yards more and that exquisite little head would be crashed upon
+the rocks.
+
+With a desperate effort, Albert by spurring his horse furiously was
+able to reach her horse's head, seize him by the bridle and swing
+himself to the ground.
+
+Braced against the rocks, he succeeded in halting the trembling beast,
+and bent in anguish over the fainting girl. But just as he freed
+Esperance's feet, the horse, still trampling and plunging, kicked him
+full in the head. He went down like a stone.
+
+Maurice and Jean had now come up. One calmed the horse, the other went
+to the aid of the wounded man. Albert, his face streaming with blood,
+was murmuring feebly, "No, she is not dead; no, she is not dead...."
+
+He fell back unconscious.
+
+Jean was kneeling beside Esperance. He raised his eyes to Maurice,
+moist with tears, but bright with hope.
+
+"She is alive," he said, "she has just moaned feebly. It is only a
+little way to the farm. Hurry Maurice, go for help. God grant the
+Count's wound may not be fatal...."
+
+The peasants who were haymaking nearby had left their work and come
+upon the scene. One man offered his cart and Albert was lifted,
+unconscious and bloodstained, and laid on the hay.
+
+Esperance had come to her senses. She could see, but could not
+understand. A peasant woman, kneeling beside her, washed her face in
+water from a pool in the rocks.
+
+Suddenly she recollected her comrade.
+
+"Jean," she cried with fright, "Jean, Count Styvens?"
+
+Jean sorrowfully showed her the wagon where he lay. Esperance, leaning
+on the young actor, stood up to be able to see, and a great sob shook
+her from head to feet.
+
+"My God! my God!" she moaned, "is he killed?"
+
+"No, I don't think so, not yet at least...."
+
+"And his mother, his poor mother.... But what happened? I don't
+remember.... It is terrible...."
+
+Jean described what had happened, and how the Count had snatched her
+from certain death.
+
+Esperance began to cry bitterly.
+
+Meantime Maurice was returning with the victoria in which were M. and
+Madame Darbois. The wagon was sent on its way very slowly. Francois
+stepped down quickly and took his daughter in his arms, intending to
+carry her to the carriage.
+
+"My father, I am able to walk...." she stifled with sobs. "But he...."
+
+The philosopher put her in the victoria beside her mother, and begged
+Jean to stay with them. Then he rejoined the cart, and climbed up
+beside Maurice who was supporting the limp head on the hay.
+
+The professor had studied a little medicine. He could see that the wound
+was grave, but the young man was robust and he allowed himself to hope.
+
+Maurice recounted the accident with all its details.
+
+"Brave fellow," said Francois, taking the cold hand. And tears, he
+could scarcely restrain, began to fill his eyes.
+
+Soon they all arrived at the farm. Marguerite, as she had been
+instructed, had prepared the Darbois's room to receive the wounded
+man. Esperance, exhausted, was put to bed, and was soon asleep,
+watched over by Mlle. Frahender, who prayed silently, counting over
+her rosary.
+
+They had difficulty in moving Albert Styvens. His great body was heavy
+and difficult to raise. Finally, after they had washed and bound up
+his head, they succeeded in undressing him and making him as
+comfortable as possible in the great bed.
+
+A quarter of an hour later he opened his eyes, and, in response to the
+anxious faces leaning over him, smiled sweetly.
+
+"And she?" he asked in a feeble voice.
+
+"Thanks to your courage, she is all right," said Mme. Darbois. "You have
+the blessings of a grateful mother."
+
+She put the young man's hand to her lips. Two warm tears fell down on
+it. The young man trembled, then his face grew radiant. They followed
+his glance. On the threshold stood Esperance, leaning upon Genevieve.
+A half-hour of profound sleep had completely restored her. She had
+waked suddenly, and seeing Genevieve and Mlle. Frahender beside her,
+had asked, "How is Count Albert?"
+
+And in spite of the protests of both women, she had got up. She wanted
+to be sure, she wanted to see!
+
+The wounded man looked at her fixedly.
+
+"Tell me that I am not dreaming," he implored.
+
+"Albert," she murmured, going up to him, "I owe you my life."
+
+She knelt beside the bed and her delicate hand rested on his strong
+hand.
+
+"God is very good," he sighed, closing his eyes.
+
+He went so pale that Francois came forward quickly to feel his pulse.
+He was silent a moment, then covering the patient's arm with the sheet
+again, looked at his watch.
+
+"If only this doctor would come...." he said.
+
+Almost immediately the head doctor from the barracks at Palais was
+announced. He was a man of forty, handsome, a little over-important,
+but he understood his business well enough. He diagnosed the wound as
+a fracture of the head and dressed and bandaged it, promising to
+return that evening with a soothing potion.
+
+For Esperance he prescribed a healing lotion for the many little
+scratches, which were of no gravity. The girl was so insistent that
+she was allowed to watch beside her deliverer. Genevieve and Mlle.
+Frahender also stayed in the room, ready in case she needed help. A
+dispatch was sent to the Countess.
+
+Quiet redescended on the farm. A heavy atmosphere of sadness seemed to
+envelop it. Lunch was served disjointedly, nobody cared to eat.
+Genevieve and Mlle. Frahender had been relieved by the maid, but they
+were anxious to return to their posts, and when Francois began to fold
+his napkin, they pushed back their chairs and quickly returned to the
+sick-chamber. The patient was becoming delirious. The name of
+Esperance was continually recurrent in his confused talk. Once the
+young girl trembled; the Count's expression had become so ferocious
+that she was terrified. Genevieve and the old Mademoiselle had just
+come in. She clung to them, clenching her hands and hiding her face.
+She pointed to the Count, who, with his brows contracted and his lips
+sternly set, was talking volubly. All three trembled. He ground out
+the name of the Duke of Morlay-La-Branche in a kind of roar. Mlle.
+Frahender, more composed than the girls, took the potion left by the
+doctor to calm the fever when it should become too raging. Esperance
+hardened herself against the weakness which had made her leave the
+bedside, and while Genevieve held the bandaged head she poured the
+liquid between the sick man's lips. At the same time she spoke to him
+very gently.
+
+The well-known, much-loved voice had more effect than the potion. The
+wounded man grew gradually calmer, and still unconscious, slept
+quietly once more. Then Esperance sank back in an easy chair, begging
+Mlle. Frahender to see that no one should make any noise. When the
+doctor returned at nine, he found the patient had been sleeping for an
+hour. He was well satisfied, and waited a half-hour more before
+disturbing him to dress the wound. He could say nothing definitely as
+yet, except that the patient had lost no ground.
+
+He took his leave until next day, and when Francois asked him to
+insist upon his daughter's rest, he refused, saying, "I shall do
+nothing of the kind. She risks nothing except a slight fatigue, and
+she is performing a good work. It may be that she is the real doctor."
+
+A telegram from Madame Styvens announced that she would arrive next
+day with the doctor who had attended Albert from childhood, and a
+friend. She asked that rooms be reserved at the hotel at Palais. But
+Francois would reserve only the "Five Divisions of the World" for the
+three travellers. They prepared one of the rooms as a dressing-room
+for the Countess, and Maurice and Jean went to lodge at the farmer's.
+
+It was with infinite discretion that Esperance broke the news of his
+mother's coming to Albert.
+
+"Poor mother," he said, "she must be living through hours of anguish
+in her anxiety. But the doctor said that I am out of danger."
+
+"What! you were not asleep!"
+
+He smiled with the almost childish smile of the very ill returning to
+life.
+
+"Then I shall be on my guard, henceforth," she threatened him gently
+with a slender finger.
+
+He stretched his hand out towards her. She pressed it tenderly.
+
+"Be careful, Albert, don't move too much."
+
+They had completely dropped the "Monsieur" and "Mademoiselle," and
+this intimacy filled the young man's heart with joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+Francois had made a special arrangement with the captain of the
+_Soulacroup_, so that the charming Countess need not risk
+travelling with geese and pigs. At Quiberon he had reserved a special
+room that she might have at least an hour of rest. She went pale as
+death when she saw the philosopher and his wife waiting for her at the
+train, although they had sent her reassuring telegrams every few
+hours. But feared that something serious might have happened while she
+was on the way.
+
+Francois said with emotion as he kissed her trembling hand,
+"Everything is going well, Madame, be assured."
+
+She breathed deeply and the colour returned to her face, which was
+still so youthful in appearance. She presented Doctor Chartier, who
+had been present at Albert's birth, and had cared for him ever since,
+and General van Berger. Several peasant women, who had heard the news
+of her coming, pressed around offering flowers.
+
+"Your son is saved, Madame," they said.
+
+Her mother's soul was overcome with sorrow and joy, for she felt that
+they spoke the truth.
+
+Esperance, who had been watching for her coming, threw herself into
+her arms sobbing, but quickly realizing her impatience--"Come, come,
+he is expecting you."
+
+In spite of her efforts to keep calm the poor woman cast herself upon
+the bed and embraced her son, interrupting her sobs with words of
+endearment, crying, laughing, delirious with happiness, for he was
+indeed alive, and she had feared.... But she cast away the terrible
+thought.
+
+The doctor from the barracks entered for a consultation with Doctor
+Chartier, who issued the smiling command, "Leave him to the doctors
+now, good ladies."
+
+The Countess pressed a last kiss on her son's hand and went away with
+Genevieve and Esperance.
+
+After Doctor Chartier had examined the wound, he congratulated his
+_confrere_. "You have cared for our patient admirably, and you
+will find that his mother is eternally grateful to you."
+
+And indeed the Countess did press his hands and expressed with noble
+simplicity her gratitude to everyone for all that had been done for
+her son.
+
+The doctors were to return in the evening. Albert begged his mother to
+take a little rest.
+
+"If I have your word, dear mama, I declare to you I will go to sleep,
+I am so relieved to know your anxiety is over."
+
+"I will take care of your mother, Albert," said Esperance. "You take
+your medicine and go to sleep. Genevieve has promised to come and
+fetch me if you do not."
+
+The Countess smiled as she went out with the young girl. She looked at
+the pretty face, which was still scarred by the marks of her fall. She
+listened, trembling with terror, but admiring the coolness and courage
+of her adored son, while the little artist gave her an account of the
+accident. Then she sent for Maurice and Jean Perliez that she might
+thank them repeatedly. She loved them all for their goodness and
+simplicity.
+
+"The maid is at your disposal, Madame, I will send her to you." said
+Esperance. She bent to kiss the Countess's hand, but found her face
+caressed by it.
+
+"My daughter, my dear daughter," said the Countess, kissing her
+tenderly.
+
+Esperance went away mystified, and in a daze.
+
+In eight days, Doctor Chartier left them. The invalid was now
+convalescent, but still confined--to his room for several days. The
+head wound was closing little by little. Happily the cut had been a
+clean one and there had been no complications; but fatigue was to be
+avoided, and the young Count was not allowed to exert himself in any
+way. He usually settled himself in a big arm-chair near the window,
+and while his mother did some embroidering, Esperance read aloud.
+Every two hours they were relieved by Madame Darbois and Genevieve. As
+to Maurice, he had made a plot in concert with Esperance and Albert,
+of offering a portrait of her son to the charming Countess. Baron van
+Berger played endless games of cards with Francois. The days passed
+quickly and everyone seemed happy. Esperance's face was as lovely as
+ever, for every scar had disappeared.
+
+The accident to Count Styvens had made a great stir in the fashionable
+world, where the young Belgian diplomat was much esteemed and even
+loved, and the artistic world was interested on account of Esperance.
+Telegrams and letters came in every day. The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche
+had shown such an interest that the object of it (the Count) grew
+exasperated. The Duke had even expressed a desire to come and see the
+sufferer, but the philosopher, warned by Jean Perliez, replied coldly,
+pleading the doctor's orders.
+
+At last the day came when the Count was permitted to leave the sick
+room. He was allowed to take a walk, and felt so strong that when
+Maurice offered his assistance he refused it quite gaily. Esperance
+and the Countess walked on either side of him; but suddenly he grew
+dizzy, and stretched out his arms. Maurice started forward to catch
+him as he tottered, and the Count saved himself by catching hold of
+the shoulder of Esperance. Under this heavy burden Esperance shuddered
+and nearly fell, and grew so pale that Genevieve came to her.
+
+"Give me your arm, darling, and walk a little behind with me, you seem
+so shaken.... Oh! I guess why...."
+
+Maurice and General van Berger supported Albert, who had lost his
+self-reliance and was a little crestfallen.
+
+"Yes; I have been tortured again by some sort of repugnance," said
+Esperance. "I know that I should devote myself to loving that man.
+But...."
+
+"That will make for the happiness of all who love you."
+
+"Yes, but it will be like condemning myself to death."
+
+Genevieve shivered and grew silent, while pressing Esperance close to
+her side to give her courage. Her friend's confidences troubled her
+sadly. She also saw the shade of sorrow hovering over this pure face.
+She was on the point of encouraging Esperance to refuse the union
+which would no doubt be proposed for her, but the recollection of the
+Duke haunted her. Was not this man more to be feared than death
+itself?
+
+"These are silly notions that crowd your brain with presentiments and
+nightmares. You must rouse your energy, my darling, and chase
+everything that threatens to hurt your life."
+
+"I swear to you, Genevieve, that I make superhuman efforts; but no one
+is master of his thoughts. They are so impulsive and rapid that they
+seem to escape the control of the will."
+
+"Nevertheless we can deprive them of power!"
+
+"Alas!... But I do not want to sadden you. Look! Maurice is getting
+anxious. Ah! you are going to be really happy, you are. I feel it.
+True happiness is always found where love is equal."
+
+Maurice could not resist crying out, at sight of the two girls, "How
+grave you both look! What were you talking about that you should spoil
+your beauty with furrows?"
+
+The Count looked straight at Esperance and she could not prevent
+herself from blushing.
+
+"My God, have pity on me," she thought. "Help me to love this man."
+
+After fifteen days of long walks, which grew longer every day, and
+constant care, Albert became completely cured. They had a party at the
+farm house to celebrate his recovery, with the garrison doctor for the
+only outside guest.
+
+The portrait of the Count that Maurice had done proved to be quite a
+remarkable picture--life-like and natural. It was placed on the
+mantel-piece in Mme. Styvens's room, where she found it when she
+returned after lunch. It was accompanied by a very simple letter, but
+a very sincere one, recalling the courage of the young Count and nobly
+expressing the gratitude of all. It was written and signed by the
+philosopher, Mme. Darbois and Maurice. The beautiful portrait, so
+delicately presented, was a source of happy comfort to this lonely
+woman.
+
+The next day the Countess had a long talk with her son. He was sitting
+at her feet.
+
+"Reflect very carefully," she said to him, "reflect very carefully. I
+believe that that child, whom I love, whom I find absolutely charming,
+will not willingly renounce her art. However, I am ready to do all I
+can to persuade her to accede to our desire and leave a career which
+would be an endless source of worry and suffering for you, my dear
+son."
+
+"Mama, do not trouble her too much. She is honest and loyal, and I
+have nothing to fear for the honour of my name."
+
+And before his mother could speak he went on: "I am jealous, it is
+true, but what happiness is not willing to pay for itself with a
+little pain? Then, perhaps, she will understand. I love her so much,
+dear, dear mother."
+
+She took the head of the dearly loved son in her hands, and looking
+deep in his eyes, said fervently--"Dear God! May happiness reward so
+great a love!"
+
+The young Count returned with his mother to the farm where Francois
+Darbois and his wife waited for them by agreement. After a quarter of
+an hour's conversation, Esperance was asked to come to her parents.
+She was in her room. Her heart beat as if it would break. She had been
+warned by Maurice of her family's interview with the Countess.
+Genevieve was with her, extolling the advantages of such a union, at
+the same time exalting the real goodness of the Count.
+
+"Think also of your father, who at last will be able to realize his
+dream of becoming a member of the Academy. You know as well as I do
+that he has every chance of being elected, but he will never present
+himself as long as you are on the stage. You know the straightlaced,
+old-fashioned ways of that assembly...."
+
+"But most of them are poets and dramatic writers," replied Esperance.
+"Why should my father care to belong to the Academy at all?"
+
+As Genevieve rebuked her, her eyes filled with tears. "You see,
+Genevieve, I am becoming ungrateful. My nature, that I believed so
+frank and straightforward, seems to get tangled in unexpected twists
+trying to go the right way. Yes, yes, you are right; I must save
+myself from myself."
+
+Just then the maid came into the room.
+
+"Monsieur wants to see Mademoiselle. Madame and Countess Styvens are
+with him."
+
+"Very well; say I will come immediately."
+
+Esperance threw her arms around her friend's neck.
+
+"If you could only know how I thank you."
+
+She went to obey the summons of her parents, resolved and comforted by
+her friend's words. Her father gave her in a few words the Countess's
+message. She went forward, very much agitated, her lips trembling, her
+voice uncertain--"Madame, I thank God for giving me another mother who
+is so good, so lovable."
+
+The Countess drew her to her, and held her in a long embrace. The
+saintly woman was praying that happiness should descend on this little
+creature who was to be her daughter.
+
+Maurice, the Baron, Jean, Mlle. Frahender and Genevieve were all,
+during this interview, walking nervously in different directions about
+the farm Albert was in his mother's room, sitting down, his head in
+his hands, awaiting the decision which was to settle the joy or sorrow
+of his life. Maurice entered suddenly.
+
+"Come on, cousin," he said, "they are waiting for you."
+
+The young man sprang to his full height with complete command of his
+over-excited nerves.
+
+"Ah! Maurice, Maurice...."
+
+He threw his arms about the young man and was off on a run for the
+farm. He entered like one distraught, bent over his mother's hands,
+and covering them with kisses, murmuring half-finished phrases.
+Esperance was beside the Countess. He stood an instant in silence
+before her, looking at her questioningly. Blushing and embarrassed the
+young girl held out her hands to him and replied low to the question
+in his eyes, "Yes."
+
+Then he bent over her hand, and his lips murmured, "I thank you,
+Esperance, oh! I thank you."
+
+They all pressed the hands of the two fiances. Mlle. Frahender and
+Genevieve kissed Esperance tenderly. The Baron thundered in his
+military voice, "There has been no battle, and yet here is the breath
+of victory. That is very good, but a little stifling. Let us have some
+air!"
+
+The good man had expressed the general sentiment.
+
+The Darbois, Mlle. Frahender and Jean were sitting in the shade of a
+little thicket of low, dark-needled pines and other trees with foliage
+green like water. Climbing flowers interlaced in the branches, making
+flecks of pink and white and violet. It was an ideal refuge from the
+heat and the wind. Maurice and Genevieve walked on ahead. Esperance
+and Albert sat down on the high point of rock that dominated the
+little landscape. For an instant they looked quietly without speaking.
+
+Albert broke this restless silence, and said, as he took Esperance's
+hand, "I love you, Esperance, and I will do all that is in my power or
+beyond it to make you happy."
+
+"I believe you, Albert, and I hope to be worthy of so devoted a love."
+
+He looked at her very penetratingly. "I know that you are not yet in
+love with me."
+
+"I do not know just how I love you, my dear, but I should always have
+turned to you if I had been in trouble."
+
+"Have you never been in love?"
+
+"No, I have been and am deeply touched by Jean Perliez's devotion, but
+I have never thought of the possibility of being happy with him."
+
+"And the other?" asked Albert, looking straight at her with his clear
+eyes.
+
+She did not answer at once.
+
+"The Duke?"
+
+"Yes, the Duke."
+
+"I do not love him," she answered frightened. "At moments I even hate
+him, and...."
+
+"And?" insisted the young man, pressing the hand he was still holding.
+
+"... I am happy to be your fiancee!!!"
+
+Her voice vibrated, her eyes were tender with gratitude.
+
+During the dinner Countess Styvens announced that she must go next
+day.
+
+"I will take my mother to Brussels," said Albert, "and if you will
+permit me, I will return immediately."
+
+The dinner was very gay, for they were all happy. Esperance herself,
+so restless, so disturbed only that morning, talked animatedly,
+keeping them all delighted with her grace and indefinable charm.
+Genevieve was astonished, doubting for a little while whether she was
+simply purposely creating a false excitement. But no, she was really
+happy.
+
+Baron van Berger rose for a little toast.
+
+"Dear friend," he said, bowing to the Countess, "I am delighted to see
+that you are reinforcing the ranks and enlisting the younger class.
+This reinforcement will bring you light, the joy of its twenty years.
+I drink to your sun of Austerlitz."
+
+Then, turning towards Albert, "I drink to the line of little soldiers
+that you will give to Belgium, my boy."
+
+The Count became scarlet. Esperance dropped her eyes. Maurice could
+hardly restrain his desire to laugh.
+
+"Do not forget that life is a battle," continued the General. "Do not
+shut yourself up in your happiness, but be always on your guard...!"
+
+"I drink to you, Lady Esperance, who bear a name of hope for the
+future, for you will certainly understand that the most beautiful role
+to play is that of wife and mother, which has nothing to do with your
+theatrical fictions...."
+
+Esperance rose, but Albert restrained her, looking at his mother. The
+charming woman said tactfully, "My good friend, I think that you have
+spoken according to your own convictions. Esperance will conduct
+herself always as seems best to her."
+
+"How kind you are, Madame!" And the young girl went and kissed her
+hand.
+
+This little incident had interfered with the quiet of the evening. But
+Esperance resumed her serenity, as she understood that her future
+mother-in-law had quite recognized the possibility that she might
+remain faithful to her art.
+
+As to Maurice, the Baron had put him in such spirits that he was
+sparkling with wit, and the dinner ended in the most delightful
+camaraderie and good feeling. Esperance, before they had time to ask
+her, went gaily to the piano; Albert sat down beside her and begged
+that she would sing.
+
+She agreed sweetly, on condition that her fiancee should accompany
+her. Her voice was very pure and clear, and she sang a simple ballad
+with exquisite taste.
+
+"You have no middle voice," objected the Baron.
+
+"Quite true," agreed Esperance with a silvery laugh; "you are terribly
+frank."
+
+When the girls were alone together finally, Genevieve complimented her
+friend upon all that had happened.
+
+"You were adorably gracious, dear little Countess, and I believe in
+your happiness!"
+
+"No, Genevieve," said Esperance, "I shall not be happy, I know it,
+except in so far as I can give happiness. I love Countess Styvens very
+deeply. I am touched by Albert's love, I see that I shall be forced by
+loyalty to renounce the theatre; I shall be torn by regret, for I fear
+my life will be spoiled, and I am not yet twenty!"
+
+She was sitting on her bed, looking so forlorn that Genevieve slipped
+down beside her and drew the little blonde head to her shoulder.
+
+"You, dear," asked Esperance, "will you renounce the theatre if
+Maurice tells you that he wishes it?"
+
+"I shall not even wait for him to tell me.... If Maurice wishes me to
+be his companion through life, I will sacrifice everything for him,
+with only one regret, that I have not enough to give up for him!"
+
+"Oh!" said Esperance, miserably, "you are in love, but I am not."
+
+And the unhappy child, stifling her sobs, hid her head in the pillow.
+
+Two days later, the Countess, her son and the Baron left for Brussels.
+
+Madame Styvens had questioned Esperance very adroitly, and she left
+Penhouet with a pretty good idea of her tastes and preferences.
+
+It was then the end of August, and the banns were to be published for
+November. The Baron was to arrange for the marriage in Brussels, but
+it was agreed that the young couple should live in Paris, and the
+Countess proposed to pick out a pretty house to shelter the happiness
+of her son. She herself would live in Paris; but she refused to share
+their home.
+
+"I shall look for a house or an apartment near by."
+
+The adieux were tender on both sides. Esperance was so sensitive to
+the charm of her mother-in-law that it made her seem devoted to her
+fiancee....
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+The news of the engagement of Esperance and the Count Styvens was
+known all over Paris. Letters came to the farm of Penhouet, done up in
+packets. Many expressed to the philosopher and his wife their joy at
+hearing that their daughter had decided to leave a career so ... so
+very ... in which ... in fact that...! Every absurd prejudice, so
+puritanly ingrained in the minds of most middle class divisions and
+sections and even amongst the more cultivated, was endlessly repeated
+upon with the usual banalities in the large correspondence of their
+friends and others. Poor actors, so misunderstood! so misrepresented!
+The philosopher showed all the letters to Esperance, who shrugged her
+shoulders, astonished to find there was so much prejudice in the world
+against her beloved calling. One letter, however, she took quite
+seriously. It was written by the most eminent of all the Academicians.
+One sentence in the epistle wounded the poor child very deeply. "Now I
+shall be able to go about your election with more confidence and
+security. Dare I admit to you, my dear Professor, that the only
+obstacle I encountered, and which seemed to me insurmountable, was the
+career chosen by that lovely child, your daughter, whose talent we all
+admire so much! Now I can start my campaign, and I am very sure, my
+dear Darbois, of achieving our ambition without much difficulty.
+Therefore, perhaps, I shall not altogether deserve your thanks."
+
+What Genevieve had said was patently true; her father had sacrificed
+his dearest hope for her, and he had done it so all unostentatiously....
+Ah! how she loved her father, who was unlike other men! He was standing
+there before her, smiling, a little scornful of all these little souls.
+And as he handed her another letter--"No, father dear, no, I beg you.
+Pardon me the wrong that I have been doing you; I admire you and I love
+you, dear papa, but leave me with the noble feeling of your supreme
+kindness; I would rather not know any more of the little meannesses of
+the world."
+
+She climbed on her father's knees and covered his forehead with
+kisses.
+
+"Look," said Mme. Darbois, holding up a letter "eight pages from your
+godfather."
+
+Esperance jumped up laughing, "That I certainly shall not read."
+
+"I am going to write to the Countess that I give up my art...." And
+swift as a shadow she was gone.
+
+The philosopher sat hesitating, his expression troubled. Had he the
+right to compel this sacrifice, knowing, realizing, as he did, that
+his child had based all the happiness of her life on the career she
+was now voluntarily giving up for his sake? Germaine looked at him
+questioningly.
+
+"Do you believe, my dear, that I ought to let Esperance write to the
+Countess, as she proposes? I fear that she is making this sacrifice to
+gratify my vanity."
+
+"Francois!" exclaimed Mme. Darbois indignantly.
+
+"My pride, if you prefer it," he said. "But what is such a
+satisfaction in comparison with the happiness of a life? To me it
+seems very unjust!"
+
+Germaine adored her husband and her daughter, but she believed more,
+than in anything in the world, in the noble genius of the philosopher.
+
+"Esperance's sacrifice," she said, "is very slight. She is making a
+superb marriage into one of the noblest, richest families in Belgium.
+Albert worships the ground she walks on. The Countess will be more
+than indulgent to her. She is realizing the most perfect future a
+young girl can hope for. I see nothing to regret, because she is
+making a slight concession to her father."
+
+Francois looked a little sadly at this mother who had never
+comprehended her daughter's psychology. He knew that for this sweet
+woman the happiness of life began with her husband and ended with him.
+
+He did not want to argue and rose, saying, "I must do some work."
+
+Ho kissed the unlined forehead of his beloved wife, and then as he was
+leaving the room added, "Tell Esperance I should like to see her
+letter before she sends it."
+
+Esperance sat at her desk in her own room, but she sat with her head
+in her hands, unable to begin her letter. Presently Genevieve came in.
+
+"Is anything the matter, dear?"
+
+Esperance told her what had just happened downstairs.
+
+"I have learned once more that all your reasonings and counsels are
+always wise, dear sister.... I am sitting trying how to write to the
+Countess to tell her that I am not going back to the stage!"
+
+Genevieve kissed her. Esperance let her head fall on her friend's
+bosom, and raising her eyes to her face, said slowly, "But oh! I have
+not the courage."
+
+Genevieve knelt beside the desk, and dipping the pen in the ink, put a
+fresh sheet of paper before Esperance, saying with a laugh, "Mlle.,
+get on with your task. I am the school mistress to see that you write
+properly!"
+
+The smile she brought to Esperance's lips chased away the nebulous
+uncertainties, and so she wrote her letter to her dear little
+"Countess-mama," as she had called her since her engagement. When her
+mother came with the philosopher's message and saw the letter, she was
+delighted with the phrasing and thanked her daughter warmly for the
+joy it would give her father.
+
+"Ah! mama, I believe that I am the happiest of the three Darbois, dear
+ridiculous mama!" And she gave her a quick embrace.
+
+Life was again travelling the simple, daily country round. It was
+after lunch, three days after Esperance had written her letter.
+
+"Why so pensive, little daughter? Where were your thoughts?"
+
+Esperance jumped up at this question from her father.
+
+"I was dreaming. I am so sorry. I was in Belgium, near the Countess
+Styvens when my letter would be brought in to her, for, as nearly as I
+can make out, it ought to arrive to-day."
+
+"No," said M. Darbois, "that letter has not been delivered; it is
+still in my desk."
+
+Their faces expressed the great astonishment that they felt.
+
+"You did not like it, papa?"
+
+"Very much, very much. It is quite good--and--and pathetic."
+
+"Then, darling papa?"
+
+"I want to talk with you a little more before you send it."
+
+Everyone drank their coffee a little quicker, and five minutes later
+Francois found himself alone with his daughter. Even Mme. Darbois had
+withdrawn, afraid that she might show her own anxiety too much.
+
+"I am listening to you, papa."
+
+"You are going to answer my questions with perfect frankness,
+Esperance?"
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+"Had you thought of writing to Countess Styvens before you read that
+letter?"
+
+He drew the Academician's letter from his portfolio and placed it
+before her.
+
+"No, father, dear."
+
+"Then it was on my account, and to facilitate my admittance to the
+Academy, that you wrote?"
+
+"Oh! no," replied Esperance quickly, "I would not do you that
+injustice, knowing how much you love me, and knowing the purity of
+your heart, the nobility of your ambition. I am sacrificing what I
+believe, perhaps wrongly, to be my happiness, to the demands of a
+misunderstanding world. I knew, when I read that letter, that I had no
+right to drag a man of your merit, my dear mother, and all the family,
+into the troubles of a life in which they have no real interest. I did
+not want you to have the sympathy of the world. Sympathy is too often
+akin to scorn!"
+
+Francois would have spoken, but Esperance interrupted him.
+
+"Oh! father darling. You are so good. Don't torment me further, send
+the letter. I am still so new to this role. I need your sincere, your
+constant help."
+
+Just then Marguerite came in and handed the philosopher a letter,
+bearing an armorial seal, which had just come from Palais. He quickly
+opened it, seemed surprised and passed it to his daughter.
+
+"What! The Duchess de Castel-Montjoie is at Palais," she said. Then
+she read: "My dear Philosopher, the Princess and I will come, if
+agreeable to you, after five. I name this hour because the Princess's
+yacht has to leave to take up friends who are waiting for us at Brehat."
+
+"What time is it?" said Esperance, turning round.
+
+The professor consulted his watch.
+
+"Twenty minutes past three. Quick, Marguerite, tell the men to harness
+the victoria with the two horses at once."
+
+A quarter of an hour later the carriage was ready to leave. When it
+had disappeared round the corner from the farm, Genevieve and her
+friend prepared to go for a walk. Esperance told her mother and Mlle.
+Frahender that they would be back again in half an hour. They climbed
+down the cliff, and were soon out of earshot of everyone--they were
+quite alone. "Genevieve, Genevieve," said Esperance, "I feel that a
+new danger is threatening me, ready to destroy all my new illusions.
+Do not leave me, darling."
+
+"What is it that you fear?"
+
+"I can only be sure of one thing, I am in such horrible distress, and
+that is that the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche is at the bottom of this
+visit. Ah! if I could be sure that I should never see him again,
+never, never!..."
+
+And she cried in her great distress like a little child.
+
+Genevieve stayed at her side, without saying a word, only stroking her
+hands from time to time. Presently Esperance grew calmer.
+
+"Come," she said, rising from the boulder on which they had seated
+themselves. "We must dress to receive the enemy's emissaries." Her
+voice was light, but her heart was heavy.
+
+Maurice, who had been strolling not far off with Jean, came up and
+noticing Esperance's tearful eyes, said: "What is the matter?"
+
+"I dread this visit," exclaimed Esperance.
+
+"What is the reason of this sudden call?" ejaculated Maurice.
+
+"I think I can guess," said the actor.
+
+"Well, tell me!"
+
+"But if I should be wrong?" said Jean.
+
+"What a frightful lot of circumlocution," cried Maurice impatiently,
+pretending to tear out his hair.
+
+But Esperance replied, "No, Jean, you are not mistaken. I can guess
+your thoughts. I am afraid, as I just now said to Genevieve, that the
+Duke de Morlay-La-Branche is connected in some way with this visit of
+the Princess and her friend!"
+
+"If the Duke comes here, but I do not believe he will, Jean and I will
+not leave him alone a minute. I assure you that he will get more of
+our company than he will appreciate. But, knowing that the Count is
+not here, I do not think he will come. He is too correct for that!
+Come, let us dance in honour of Albert!"
+
+Taking his cousin's hands and Genevieve's, he nodded his head to Jean
+to do the same thing, and led them into a whirlwind dance upon the
+sands of the beach, until the girls laughed as though no heavy
+thoughts were weighing in their hearts.
+
+Two hours later the victoria arrived from Palais. The young people
+could see that it contained only two ladies and the philosopher, and
+Genevieve breathed again.
+
+The Princess descended lightly before the front door. She kissed
+Esperance, and after speaking to Mme. Darbois, had Maurice, Jean and
+Genevieve presented to her.
+
+"You did the portrait of which the Duke de Morlay has spoken so
+highly?"
+
+Maurice bowed.
+
+"Would it be impertinence if I asked you to let me see it?" she said
+with a smile.
+
+"I thank you, Madame; you flatter me by your request."
+
+The Dowager Duchess, with whom the Princess had been spending three
+weeks at her Chateau of Castel-Montjoie, was now presented to Mme.
+Darbois. She was a lovable and delightful old lady, with a great
+appreciation of art and science. Both ladies had been present with the
+Duke at the last Conservatoire competition, and they expressed to
+Esperance, Genevieve and Jean the enjoyment their performances had
+given them. The Duchess was much struck by Genevieve's proud beauty,
+and said to Maurice, "Ah! Monsieur, what another beautiful portrait
+you could make! This young lady is much more beautiful close to than
+even on the stage!" And she added a kind and appreciative word for the
+classic talent of Jean Perliez.
+
+Tea was to be served in the little beautiful convolvulus garden. When
+they entered this shelter, which a poet might have designed, the
+Duchess exclaimed enviously, "What a heavenly spot. Who is the
+inspired person who has arranged this mysterious flowery retreat for
+you?"
+
+The philosopher pointed to Maurice and the girls.
+
+The Princess admired it, and the conversation rippled on. "We are come
+to trouble your bower with a plea for charity! Every year, the Duchess
+gives a garden party in her beautiful park at Montjoie for the benefit
+of the 'Orphans of the Fishermen.' There is a little open-air theatre,
+where some of the greatest actors have appeared. Little rustic booths,
+shops where you pay a great deal for nothing at all, and a thousand
+other distractions. We are come, the Duchess and I, drawn by a very
+pretty star, Esperance. She will not deny us her light, our lovely
+little star?" she concluded, bending towards Esperance.
+
+"But, Madame," murmured Esperance, "my decision--my promises do not
+depend on myself alone, now."
+
+The Duchess extracted a letter from her gold mesh bag and held it
+towards her.
+
+"You are perfectly right, my dear child," she said easily. "I also
+foresaw that objection, so I wrote to your fiance, even before
+speaking to you, for which I must apologize, and here is his answer."
+
+Esperance read the little missive bearing the Styvens's arms and
+handed it back to the Duchess.
+
+"I will not be," she said smiling sadly, "more royalist than the king.
+Madame, I am at the service of your work."
+
+This was a great delight to the two kindly disposed women, but the
+young girl's heart was torn because her fiance would not see! It is
+true that his letter ended with the words, "I agree with both hands to
+whatever Esperance shall decide," so that little choice was left.
+
+The garden party was to be the twentieth of September. It was then the
+end of August.
+
+"And of what nature is to be the modest contribution I can make to
+your fete?" asked Esperance, half humorously.
+
+"Modest! Of course you will be the principal attraction. My guests,
+knowing that they will see you for the last time before Count Styvens
+carries his little idol away from the public...."
+
+Esperance was saying to herself, "so this cultivated, broad-minded
+lady thinks just as the others do."
+
+The Princess continued, "We want you to play with your fiance the
+Liszt symphonic poem that you played one evening at the Legation; and
+to take part in some tableaux vivants that we are all to appear in. The
+Duke de Morlay-La-Branche is directing and staging this part of the
+programme. The performance will be given only by people we know--no
+professionals."
+
+The Princess had spoken quite quickly, without reflection. She blushed
+slightly when she remembered Esperance and Jean Perliez, but she had
+made the mistake and there was no way of calling it back. She thought
+that Esperance belonged to that circle where a compliment effaces what
+might seem like an impertinence.
+
+At first the name of the Duke de Morlay had fallen like a pebble in
+the stream and began to ripple the waters; a spreading circle of
+thoughts, fears, resentments began to move in every heart. The
+philosopher himself was troubled, for he had been prompted by Maurice
+to observe the assiduous attractions of the Duke, and the agitation he
+caused Esperance whenever they had been together. Esperance and
+Genevieve both grew pale. The young painter raised his head, ready for
+some sort of a return reply. Without hesitation he had decided on the
+plan to follow. He must not only be invited to the fete, which would
+be easy enough; he must take part in it, so as to be able to shadow
+and watch the manoeuvres of the over agreeable Duke.
+
+"If you will allow me, Madame," he said boldly, "I should like to
+contribute my mite to your fete by painting the scenery?"
+
+The Princess clapped her hands with delight at the suggestion and this
+new support.
+
+"How pleased my cousin de Morlay will be," she exclaimed. "He has just
+been saying to me, 'For the scenery we shall require a painter, a real
+artist.'"
+
+"A professional," said Maurice, bowing ironically.
+
+The Princess was somewhat provoked, but she appeared not to notice the
+rather pointed remark.
+
+"You might also design the costumes for the tableaux vivants," she
+continued.
+
+"My cousin," exclaimed Esperance, "has a great gift for arrangement
+and composition. You will be able to judge for yourself soon; I will
+show you how beautifully he has painted my portrait."
+
+"True. May we see it now?"
+
+This made a welcome change for the four young people. They all went
+towards the "Five Divisions of the World." The Duchess stopped every
+now and then on the way to admire the sea and the luminous quality of
+the air. She was really amazed when she was shown the picture. It had
+been installed in the little court, under a kind of alcove that
+Maurice had made for it. He had found in his aunt's "reliquary" some
+pretty hangings which hid the alcove, and the picture lost nothing by
+the arrangement of drapery.
+
+"You have indeed a beautiful portrait there," said the Princess
+sincerely. "Every year for his birthday I give my husband some work of
+art. If you do not find me too unworthy a subject it shall be signed
+this year, 'Maurice Renaud.'"
+
+The young man bowed. "I shall be very happy indeed, Madame, and very
+highly honoured."
+
+"Then, as our friend and collaborator," said the Duchess, "you must, I
+think, come with us at once so as to be able to get to work with the
+Duke without delay."
+
+"Give me time to pack by bag, Madame," returned the triumphant
+Maurice, "and I will join you at the carriage."
+
+"I will come and help with your packing, cousin. You will excuse me?"
+she added turning to the Princess.
+
+And Esperance, followed by Genevieve and Jean Perliez disappeared
+together.
+
+As soon as she was sure she was out of ear-shot Esperance threw her
+arms about her cousin's neck. "You were simply wonderful."
+
+"Yes," joined in Maurice, "the enemy has fallen into the ambush, as
+Baron van Berger would say. I will be back as soon as possible, but I
+must take time to rout our amiable Duke. He is the real enemy, and the
+most difficult opponent, but I am confident. With my most diabolical
+scheming, little cousin, I am going to have great fun. All the same, I
+foresee that I sha'n't be able to stay away long." And he kissed
+Genevieve's hand tenderly.
+
+They soon finished the packing, and Jean closed the suitcase, and the
+young people arrived at the carriage just as it drew up.
+
+"How very good it is of you to accept this sudden demand upon your
+services with such good grace!"
+
+"I must remind you, Madame, that I suggested the work myself and I am
+glad to do it. I am also quite happy to be carried off by you, as it
+is such an unlooked-for pleasure."
+
+Two days later the professor had a letter from Maurice, which he read
+aloud to the family as they drank their coffee.
+
+"My dear Uncle,--This letter is to be shared by the whole community. I
+have found a world gone mad in this magnificent chateau. We are
+twenty-two at table. I have been cordially welcomed by all the
+strangers, to whom this cursed Duke, delightful fellow, has graciously
+presented me. I set to work at once to unravel and discover the plans
+of Charles de Morlay. But more anon. This is the programme: an
+orchestra composed of excellent artists are to play while the guests
+arrive, inspect each other, and take their places. We begin with a
+little ballet, entitled, _The Moon in Search of Pierrot_, acted
+and danced by some very good amateurs. I am to paint the drop for this
+ballet, and the authors (it has taken three of them to elaborate the
+stupidest scenario you ever yawned through) have called for a
+Scandinavian design and I have promised it, and shall paint it at
+Penhouet. Then, the great attraction, the tableaux vivants. That is
+where I lay in wait for our astute Duke. I will spare you details of
+nine of the tableaux. There are to be twelve, but Esperance appears
+only in three, which are the best. In one she represents Andromeda
+fastened to the rock, and Perseus (the Duke) delivers her after
+overcoming the dragon. In the second, the 'Judgment of Paris,' she
+appears as Aphrodite, to whom Paris (the Duke) gives the apple. The
+third is 'Europa and the Bull,' Europa being personified by Esperance.
+The Duke does not wish to look ridiculous in a bull's hide, so takes
+liberties with the legend and transforms the bull into a centaur. I
+have said 'Amen' to everything. Finally to complete the fete, which
+will no doubt be well attended and very profitable, there will be
+little shops of all kinds. Esperance is to sell flowers from the
+Duchess's gardens. I have my own idea on this point, which I shall
+later confide to you. I can easily get her fiance to agree. Your
+nephew, dear uncle, should live in the land of honey for the future. I
+have already had orders for three portraits, and of three pretty
+women, which assures me that the portraits will be successful. Ahem! I
+am taking all my notes to-day and will be with you the day after
+to-morrow. It is up to you, dear uncle, to distribute in unequal or
+suitable doses my respects and love and affection amongst all those
+anxious to receive such privileges. Your affectionately devoted,
+Maurice."
+
+"It seems to me," said Genevieve, as she left the dining-room with
+Esperance, "that your cousin has arranged everything very well, and
+that you ought to be quite happy and content."
+
+"Oh! I know very well that I shall be taken care of, but how can I
+struggle against the tumultuous ideas that assail me? The vision of
+the Duke has haunted me ever since Maurice left. I have never seen the
+chateau, but I am sure that I shall recognize it. I would like to fall
+ill with some complaint that would send me to sleep and sleep. Oh! if
+I could get a little ugly for a little while, just long enough to make
+the Duke lose interest in me, I should be so glad. Dear Genevieve,
+can't you give me a little dose of the elixir of your happiness. I
+need it sorely just now."
+
+The girls had been walking as they talked down to the little beach at
+Penhouet. The sea was at low tide, and the golden sand, dried by the
+sun, offered them a restful couch. They stretched themselves out upon
+it, and Esperance soon fell asleep. Jean Perliez appeared on the crest
+of the little hill that hides the bay from the sightseeker. Genevieve
+signed to him to come down quietly. He had a telegram, a dispatch from
+Belgium. He pinned it to Esperance's hat lying on the sand at her
+side, and dropping down close to Genevieve, began to talk in low
+tones. For both he and Genevieve were uneasy concerning their little
+friend.
+
+A farm dog at the moment began to bark furiously. Esperance woke
+quickly, looking pale and worried, with her hands pressed on her
+frightened heart. She saw the telegram and opened it quickly.
+
+"Albert will be here this evening by the second boat. What time is
+it?" She showed a little emotion, but only a little, though she felt
+deeply.
+
+She looked towards the sun.
+
+"It can't be four yet."
+
+Jean took out his watch.
+
+"Twenty to four," he said.
+
+"The boat can't get here before five-thirty. Quick, quick, run, Jean,
+and ask to have some conveyance got ready. I must go and tell my
+father and get his permission to go with you and Genevieve to meet my
+fiancee. Ah! what good luck!" she said with a long breath, "What good
+luck!"
+
+Francois Darbois was delighted for his daughter to go and meet Albert,
+and departed so radiantly that he said to his wife, "I believe she is
+getting to love this brave Albert?"
+
+Genevieve, who had heard, as had also Jean, said to the young man in a
+low voice, "But, my God! suppose she is beginning to love the Duke?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+The boat approached the little quay of Palais slowly with Count
+Styvens standing well forward, his tall figure silhouetted against the
+grey of the sea. He caught sight of Esperance immediately, as she
+stood up in the brake, waving her handkerchief. Great happiness was in
+his heart, and in his haste to be ashore, he went to assist them to
+lay down the gangplank, and was at the carriage in a second, kissing
+most tenderly the hand Esperance held out to him. A great basket was
+placed on the seat. The girls blushed with pleasure, for a sweet odour
+was wafted to them from it.
+
+All the way home Esperance heard from Albert in detail all that had
+happened to him since she had last seen him. She talked incessantly,
+as if to drown her thoughts under a sea of nonsense. At the farm the
+young man could see the pleasure they all showed at his return. Of
+course he was somewhat astonished to learn that Maurice was absent
+with the Duchess, for he had not yet heard of the events that had
+happened during his absence.
+
+They all gathered together in the dining-room. The Count took out of
+his pocket a little case, and asking Esperance to give him her hand,
+slipped on to her middle finger a magnificent engagement ring. Somehow
+her hand went cold as death as Albert held it, and her face contracted
+strangely.
+
+"Do you regret your word already, Esperance?" he asked in a nervous,
+low voice.
+
+"No, no, Albert," she said quickly, nervously twisting the ring on her
+finger, "but this is a very serious moment, and you know that I
+incline to taking things seriously here," and she put her hand across
+her heart. Then she smiled, pressed his hand, and showed the ring to
+Genevieve. They all examined and admired the beautiful jewel. When the
+philosopher turned to praise it Albert had disappeared.
+
+The basket was opened revealing a bouquet of magnificent white
+orchids, marvellously fresh, held in a white scarf with embroidered
+ends.
+
+When they assembled for dinner an hour later Esperance was not
+present, and Albert began to look uneasy. But they had not long to
+wait, and when she did appear she was dressed all in white, an
+embroidered scarf fastened about her waist, and several orchids
+arranged like a coronet in her hair. At that moment she seemed almost
+supernaturally beautiful.
+
+"What a pity that Maurice is not here! You are so lovely this
+evening," said Genevieve.
+
+"Oh," said Esperance smiling, "that is not the only reason you regret
+his absence?"
+
+Next day they were surprised to get no word from the painter to tell
+them which boat he would take. It was warm and they had coffee served
+in the convolvulus bower. The breeze came through an opening from the
+sea.
+
+"Look! isn't that a pretty boat?" cried out Genevieve.
+
+A white yacht was sailing slowly towards Penhouet. The philosopher got
+his glasses.
+
+"It is the Princess's flag," he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, yes," agreed Albert, "it is the Belgian flag. Listen, there is
+the salute."
+
+Jean ran to the farm, calling back, "I will answer it. All right, M.
+Darbois?"
+
+The flag sank and rose three times, then the yacht headed straight for
+the little bay. Genevieve climbed on a high rock and clapped her
+hands. "It is he, oh! it is he."
+
+She turned radiantly back to the party in the grove. Her "It is he"
+made Albert smile. It was so charming, so sincere that they all shared
+the quality of her joy.
+
+It was indeed Maurice returning on the Princess's yacht. The tide was
+so high that the boat could get quite close.
+
+Everyone went down to the beach where the waves were washing the
+little rocks. Albert jumped on the largest rock which seemed to recede
+to sea with him. Genevieve would have followed him but he cried out,
+"Look out, it is very deep here."
+
+She stayed where she was, but so woebegone did her face become that
+Albert leapt ashore again, and before she knew what he was doing,
+picked her up, and was back on the slippery rock with her.
+
+"Oh! the bold lad!" said the Professor.
+
+The little sloop had been launched and Maurice could easily land on
+the big rock. He kissed Genevieve, and told the Count of his delight
+in seeing him again. Then he looked around him. The water surrounded
+them on all sides. He looked at Genevieve questioningly, but by way of
+response Albert simply picked her up again and went ashore with her.
+Maurice was quick and agile, he was even strong in a nervous way, but
+Albert's strength and agility filled him with wonder.
+
+Esperance congratulated the Count on his prowess and his kind thought
+in enabling Genevieve to see Maurice a little sooner.
+
+"It is because I know what that joy is myself," he answered simply.
+
+Esperance's eyes grew moist as she turned to Albert.
+
+"You are so good, you always do the right thing. I am prouder every
+day to be loved by you."
+
+During dinner Maurice gave them an account of all that had happened to
+him, with many new incidents.
+
+"I am not telling you anything new," he added to Albert when they were
+alone. "You know as well as I do that the Duke is in love with
+Esperance. We all know it here."
+
+Albert agreed with a rather sad smile that he did know it.
+
+"Now that my cousin is your fiancee, he is too much of a gentleman to
+seek her, but he certainly wants to be near her, to talk to her, in
+short to flirt with her."
+
+"You believe that he would dare?"
+
+"My dear cousin," said Maurice, half jestingly, half serious. "I
+believe him capable of anything, but he knows that you are here ... and
+perhaps is afraid to take liberties."
+
+"To put an end to his manoeuvrings we must somehow make him look
+ridiculous, and expose his folly. The fete, I think, will give us our
+chance."
+
+Albert said, "I will follow your advice, Maurice."
+
+"Very good. I will give you particulars of my plans. By the way, I
+have brought all your invitations. I will go and deliver them." So
+they went to seek the others, and Maurice gave each one a card with a
+personal invitation for the twentieth of September. Genevieve blushed.
+
+"I am invited as well," she said.
+
+"Of course; and I believe the amiable Duchess intends to ask you to
+recite the poem she has written. It is very touching. I will find it
+for you to-morrow. Ah! yes, you have made a great impression on that
+delightful lady. She talked about you to me all the time. You would
+have supposed she was doing it to please me."
+
+Genevieve became purple. It was the first time Maurice had expressed
+himself so frankly. When they left the table she led Esperance aside
+and kissed her until she almost stifled her.
+
+"Oh! how happy I am, and how I love him!"
+
+Maurice and Jean passed by talking so busily that they did not see the
+girls.
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Absolutely. Since I have been away for four whole days I am convinced
+more than ever that I adore that girl and shall not be happy without
+her."
+
+"You have written to your father?"
+
+"Not yet. I must first of all talk to Genevieve."
+
+"You are not afraid of what she will say? Of her answer?"
+
+Maurice smiled.
+
+"I want first to tell her of my future plans, and to have a
+confidential chat with her about everything."
+
+"You will be my best man, old fellow," he went on, clapping Jean on
+the shoulder. "You have chosen the role of actor, with the temperament
+of a spectator; strange lover!"
+
+"Like any other man I follow my Destiny. You were born for happiness,
+Maurice, one has only to look at you to be convinced of it. You
+breathe forth life, you love, you conquer. Youth radiates from you. I
+have asked myself a hundred times why I have chosen this career, and I
+am persuaded that I must live, if at all, the life of others."
+
+"Are you very upset--unhappy?" asked Maurice.
+
+"No, oh no; I don't suffer much, but of course I am a little
+disturbed. I am like a reflection. Esperance's happiness elates, her
+sorrow depresses me. I love her purely as an idealist. I would like
+Count Albert to look like the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, and still
+keep the noble soul that we know he possesses. If your cousin should
+die, I truly believe that I would die. My life would be without aim,
+without soul; bereft of light, the reflection would vanish."
+
+They walked slowly down to the beach to join Albert and the girls. The
+night had broken soft and limpid, full of stars, full of dreams. They
+sat down on the sand, silently admiring the prospect. The waves broke
+regularly as if scanning the poem of silence. A fresh scent rose from
+the rocks which were clothed with sea moss. Far away a dog was
+barking. The young people were silent, united in a mood of wonder
+before the depths and lights of the night.
+
+
+
+
+
+PART IV. THE CHATEAU
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+
+On the fifteenth of September the girls had to tear themselves away
+from their quiet retreat at Belle-Isle, and leave Penhouet and all
+else to travel with Mlle. Frahender, Jean and Maurice to the Chateau
+de Montjoie. When they arrived there, at ten in the evening, Esperance
+recognised the Duke in the distance as soon as the carriage stopped.
+He was looking out of one of the great windows above the terrace. He
+was, in fact, awaiting the coming of Esperance. But he pretended not
+to have seen the carriage and continued to gaze up at the stars.
+Esperance trembled and her lips were icy cold. Albert had also seen
+the Duke, and was not deceived by his attitude. He had resolved to be
+calm, but a sullen, unbidden anger arose within him.
+
+When the housekeeper had installed the two girls in a tower of the
+Chateau, she left with them a little Breton peasant girl.
+
+"She will be devoted to your service," she said. "Her name is
+Jeanette. Her room is above yours and, when you ring this bell, she
+will wait upon you at once."
+
+Esperance threw herself on her bed, still dressed, for her heart was
+overflowing.
+
+"Ah! why, why is Albert so trusting? Why did he let me come here?
+Would it not have been better to have run the risk of offending the
+Duchess?"
+
+And when Genevieve tried to reason with her, "I am suffering, little
+sister," she replied, "I am so unhappy; for the sight of the Duke at
+the window distressed me. I tremble at the idea of seeing him again,
+and yet I long for the time when I can give him my hand."
+
+"But this is serious," said Genevieve. "I thought you had recovered
+from all that nonsense, or rather, I thought you would be less
+affected."
+
+She helped Esperance to undress. The poor child let her do so without
+a word.
+
+She slept badly, haunted by dreams and troubled with nightmare. At six
+o'clock in the morning she woke up feverishly, and rang for the maid.
+
+The little Breton appeared five minutes later, her eyes still full of
+sleep, her cap crooked.
+
+ "Will you get me a little warm water?" asked Esperance. "It is cold
+from the tap."
+
+"It is too early, I am afraid. Mademoiselle must please to wait a
+little."
+
+"Well, be as quick as you can, please. I want to go for a walk in the
+park while there is no one about."
+
+The little Breton laughed. "You won't run any danger of finding anyone
+at this hour. What will the ladies take for breakfast?"
+
+"Two cups of chocolate, please," said Genevieve, beginning to get up.
+
+"Be so good as to make haste, Jeanette, get us our hot water and our
+chocolate, like a good girl and say nothing to anyone."
+
+Jeanette looked in the mirror, adjusted her cap, put back a stray lock
+of hair, and opened the door. But she stopped, looking at the girls
+craftily.
+
+"Which way were you going, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"That all depends. Which way is the prettiest?"
+
+"When you leave the Chateau you must turn to your right and walk to
+the first thicket. About ten minutes through the thicket and you will
+come out on the big terrace. That is where they always take the guests
+and say how beautiful it is!"
+
+"Thank you," said Genevieve, "to the right, then the thicket and the
+terrace. We aren't likely to meet anyone?"
+
+"Nobody is abroad but the cats at this hour, and...."
+
+Outside the door she made a face like a mischievous child who had just
+played a trick. Running rapidly across the long corridors, she mounted
+to the second storey, opened an ante-chamber which led to another room
+and knocked lightly. The Duke opened the door.
+
+"You here, Jeanette! What is it?"
+
+"My godfather," she said very low, "the young ladies are getting up
+now, and I think they are going to walk in the grove to the right of
+the Chateau."
+
+"They are going ... alone?"
+
+"Certainly. No one else is awake, but they may be going to meet their
+lovers."
+
+"Why did you come to tell me yourself, instead of sending my man?"
+
+"Because he is a lazy fellow who would have taken an hour to dress and
+then would have told a lie and said I told him too late."
+
+"Very well, run along now, and don't get caught."
+
+So Jeanette sped quickly towards the kitchen to get the hot water in a
+great copper can, which she half emptied on the way to ease the
+weight.
+
+As soon as they were dressed, Esperance and Genevieve made quick work
+of their chocolate, and started out. It was very still.
+
+"It is the Sleeping Beauty's wood," said Esperance.
+
+They went towards the grove they saw on their right. At the entrance
+to it Esperance closed her parasol and stopped suddenly, pressing
+Genevieve's hand.
+
+"Some one has been here already."
+
+They both stopped motionless, listening. Not a sound. They slowly
+continued on their way, but the thicket did not lead to the terrace,
+and ended in a little enclosed dell. On a pedestal a figure of _Love
+in Chains_ overlooked a stone bench.
+
+"We have lost our way," said Genevieve. "Let us go back."
+
+"No it is charming here. Let us go on to the bench. I am a little
+tired and my heart is beating so.... What was that?"
+
+She put her companion's hand above her heart.
+
+"Why what is the matter with you. Why are you so nervous?"
+
+"Ah!" replied Esperance, with great apprehension of she knew not what,
+"I feel as if I could not struggle.... The presence in this house of
+the Duke de Morlay overcomes me. I don't know whether that is love;
+but at least it tells me that I do not love Albert. Come dear, let us
+rest a moment."
+
+Just then a man stepped out from the thicket and barred their way.
+
+The Duke stood before them.
+
+Esperance uttered one cry and fell in a faint.
+
+The Duke started forward to catch her, but Genevieve repulsed him.
+
+"It is a cowardly trick you have played on us, sir. I understand now
+that we did not lose our way but were duped by your orders."
+
+As she spoke, she was trying to support Esperance, but almost falling
+herself under the weight of the inert body. She cried at her own
+impotence, but she was obliged to accept the Duke's help to get
+Esperance as far as the marble bench.
+
+"Try," she said holding out Esperance's tiny handkerchief, "to get me
+a little water."
+
+"Instantly, Mademoiselle ... there is a fountain near at hand."
+
+When he came back Genevieve moistened the poor child's temples. The
+Duke was very pale.
+
+"Mademoiselle, believe me that I am greatly upset at what has
+happened. I had no idea...!"
+
+"I shall be very glad to excuse you. Esperance looks a little better,
+had you not better go away?"
+
+"But I cannot leave you all alone like this."
+
+He took Esperance's hand, and it seemed to him that warmth came back
+into it.
+
+Esperance opened her eyes. Still half unconscious, she looked at him
+curiously, then she cried sharply out, "Have mercy, go away, go away!"
+
+And she gave way to hysterical sobs.
+
+The Duke said humbly, "I will leave you."
+
+And then kneeling before her, "Forgive me, I am going; I am leaving
+you ... but I entreat you to forgive me."
+
+He was sincere in what he said. Both girls felt it.
+
+Esperance had risen gently.
+
+"I am betrothed to Count Styvens," she said. "You know that. I know
+that my emotion just now was foolish, but I am sick at heart and I am
+not always able to control myself. You are good, I see that. Please
+help me to cure myself. I will be grateful to you all my life."
+
+"I give you my word...." his voice trembled. "I will make myself...."
+and he went away.
+
+As soon as they were left alone the two girls took counsel as to what
+course they should pursue. Esperance, in despair, threw herself on
+Genevieve's judgment, and Genevieve asked permission to consult
+Maurice.
+
+"Could we not keep it as a secret?"
+
+"I am afraid, darling, that that would not be right. We are sure of
+Maurice's discretion, and we need advice as well as help."
+
+Esperance looked at her companion.
+
+"How could the Duke have known? Oh! I suppose the little Breton girl
+who waits on us was the culprit. We must get rid of her. We have only
+three days to spend here, and then, too, I am sure that the Duke will
+keep his word. I was struck by his pallor, and his eyes when he looked
+at you were full of tears, but I believe he was sincere; there is less
+to fear from staying than fleeing perhaps, since we know that. Let us
+go back."
+
+She helped her dear little friend to get up and they returned to the
+house as they had come. Mademoiselle Frahender was just coming out to
+look for them.
+
+"Here we are, little lady, don't scold," said Esperance playfully.
+
+The little old lady shook her head chidingly.
+
+"You do not look well, my child. You are up too early. Six o'clock,
+that pert little Breton told me, when I found her fumbling in our
+trunks. When I told her that I was going to complain of her she said,
+'Oh! don't do that, Madame, my godfather, the Duke de Morlay, would
+never forgive me!"
+
+The girls looked at each other.
+
+"I promise to say nothing, but you must watch her carefully."
+
+They were just going in when Maurice joined them, out of breath.
+
+"Hello! cousin. Where do you spring from?"
+
+"I have been looking for you for half an hour to give you the
+programme, edited by Jean and enlivened by your humble servant. Here
+you are, and here you are, naughty lady, who gives no word of warning
+to her lover of early morning escapades."
+
+"Oh! Maurice, it was I who led Genevieve astray, and I am doubly
+repentant. She will tell you why."
+
+Maurice grew serious.
+
+"What means that haggard face, cousin, and the collar of your dress is
+all wet? Come, come, Genevieve herself seems ill at ease. I would like
+to know what you two have been up to."
+
+"Well! take her into that grove, you will find a bench there, and she
+will tell you all about it. I am going to rest," replied Esperance.
+
+Genevieve and Maurice sat down in the grove. After she had told him
+what had happened, she added, "What seems to me to make it really
+serious is that I believe the Duke to be in earnest."
+
+"Love and flirtation often look alike," said the young man shrugging
+his shoulders.
+
+"I don't think so," said the girl with conviction, and continued
+sadly, "Esperance is fighting against this infatuation with all her
+strength, but I am very uneasy. And if the Duke should love her enough
+to offer to marry her!"
+
+"You think that likely?"
+
+"What can resist love? Tell me that."
+
+And her beautiful eyes, swimming with tears, looked anxiously,
+trustingly into the young man's face.
+
+"I tell you what I truly believe. And that is, that Esperance loves
+the Duke."
+
+The young painter meditated for a long time.
+
+"Come on, we must go back," he said finally. "We must get ready for
+the rehearsal." He left the girl with exhortations to reason with his
+cousin.
+
+"What the deuce is our will for if we can't exercise it?"
+
+"Maurice, I am brave and determined, you know that. My sister and I
+have struggled unaided, she since she was thirteen! I since I was
+eight. I thought that she was enough to fill all my life, and now...."
+
+"And now," he asked tenderly, taking her hand.
+
+"All my life is yours! I should not tell you this, but you can judge
+by my doing so the impotence of will against...."
+
+She drew away her hand hastily, ran to the staircase and disappeared.
+He heard the door open and his cousin's voice saying, "How pale you
+are, Genevieve!"
+
+"What are you dreaming about, Cousin Maurice?" said Albert, putting
+his hand gently on his shoulder.
+
+That hand felt to Maurice as heavy as remorse.
+
+"Let us go and see what is going on," said the young painter. "There
+is Jean coming to look for us now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+
+In the great hall of the Chateau a charming theatre had been built.
+Everything was ready for the rehearsal. An enormous revolving platform
+held three wooden squares which would serve as frames for the tableaux
+vivants. The mechanism had been arranged by an eminent Parisian
+engineer. A curtain decorated by Maurice served as background. There
+were eleven little dressing rooms, seven for the women, four for the
+men.
+
+Maurice saw the Duke seated straddlewise on a chair, and smoking a
+cigarette. The three men went up to him before he was aware of their
+presence. At sound of Albert's voice he sprang to his feet, almost as
+if expecting an attack. His nostrils were dilated, his face set. In an
+instant he resumed his usual manner, and shook hands with the young
+men.
+
+"You were asleep?" suggested the Count.
+
+"No, I was dreaming, and I think you must have figured in my dream."
+
+"Let us hear of the dream."
+
+"Oh! no, dreams ought not to be told!"
+
+And he pretended to busy himself with some orders.
+
+The guests who were to take part in the tableaux vivants began slowly
+to stream in. Maurice took Jean aside and told him what had happened
+that morning.
+
+"You must keep watch too. I am not going to leave the Duke."
+
+When Esperance and Genevieve came in, Maurice caught the Duke's
+expression in a mirror. He saw him move away and join a distant group
+where he lingered chatting. Jean thought Esperance looked uneasy.
+Albert came up to her and kissed her hand. She smiled sadly. She was
+looking for some one. The Duke had disappeared before she had seen
+him.
+
+After a long discussion it was decided to have a dress rehearsal.
+Esperance was not in the first picture so she would have had ample
+time to have dressed at leisure, but nevertheless she put her things
+on quite feverishly. Her costume consisted only, it is true, of a
+light peplum over a flesh-coloured foundation. Genevieve helped her to
+dress. In each dressing-room was one of Maurice's designs illustrating
+just how the dress, hair, etc., were to be arranged. For Andromeda,
+Esperance was to have bare feet, and wear on her hair a garland of
+flowers.
+
+The three first tableaux revolved before the Duke and his staff,
+composed of Albert, Jean, Maurice and some of the distinguished
+guests; and the order was given to summon the artists for the second
+set, which was composed of the next three pictures.
+
+The first tableaux of the second group represented Circe with the
+companions of Ulysses changed into swine. The marvellous Lady Rupper
+was to represent Circe. She entered dramatically, half nude, her tunic
+open to her waist, caught at intervals by diamond clasps, her peplum
+held in place by a garland of bay leaves. She was very beautiful. Her
+husband, a wealthy American, laughed at sight of her, a coarse laugh,
+the laugh of all Germans, even when Americanized.
+
+The second picture represented Judith and Holofernes. The beautiful
+brunette, the Marquise de Chaussey, in a daring costume designed by
+Maurice, held in her hand a magnificent scimitar, the property of
+Morlay-La-Branche. She was to pose, raising the curtain, as in the
+picture of Regnault.
+
+The third picture was the deliverance of Andromeda. When Esperance
+appeared, so slender, so fragile, her long hair waving in floods of
+pale gold almost to the floor, a murmur of almost sacred admiration
+rang through the hall. Lady Rupper approached her, and taking the
+child's hair in her hands, cried out, "Oh! my dear, it is more
+beautiful than the American gold."
+
+The Duke came up to Esperance.
+
+"I should have preferred enchaining you to delivering you,
+Mademoiselle."
+
+"I can speak now in the person of Andromeda and thank you for that
+deliverance ... which you promised," she answered with a little smile.
+
+She had spoken so low that only the Duke could hear the ending which
+he alone understood. He had promised to deliver her from his love, but
+at that instant he revolted against the thought and the admonition.
+
+"Why not?" he muttered to himself. "She must be happier with me than
+with that insufferable bore! I will keep my word until she herself
+absolves me from it."
+
+They had to arrange her pose against the rock. Maurice and Albert
+helped her, while the Duke watched from a distance, and criticized the
+effect. All at once he cried out, "That is perfect. Don't move. Now
+the mechanician must mark the place to set the fetters for the hands
+and feet."
+
+Maurice stepped back by the Duke to judge of the effect.
+
+"It is excellent," he said, looking only, thinking only as an artist.
+"That child has a beauty of proportion, a dazzling grace, and the most
+lovely face imaginable."
+
+As the Duke did not speak, Maurice looked at him. He was standing
+upright, leaning against a table, pale as death.
+
+"Are you ill?" asked Maurice.
+
+"No ... no...."
+
+He passed his hand across his forehead and said in an unnatural voice,
+"Will you see to it please, that they do not leave her suspended that
+way too long? Tell Albert to raise her head, it seems to me that she
+is going to faint."
+
+He started forward.
+
+"I will go," said Maurice, stopping him.
+
+When the machinist finished screwing the rings in the rock Maurice
+asked whether it would not be better to repeat this tableaux at once.
+The Duke approved. The terrifying dragon was properly arranged on the
+ground--the wonderful dragon which was the design of a renowned
+sculptor and perfectly executed by Gerard in papier mache. Perseus
+(the Duke) with one foot on the head of the vanquished monster, bent
+towards Andromeda. The breath of her half-opened mouth was hot on his
+lips, and he could hear the wild beating of her little heart. He felt
+an infinite tenderness steal over him, and when a tear trembled on the
+young girl's eyelashes he forgot everything, wiped the tear away
+tenderly with the end of his finger and kissed it lovingly. Happily
+the turning stage was almost out of sight and nobody except Genevieve
+had caught sight of the incident.
+
+Esperance breathed, "God, my God!"
+
+The Duke raised the poor child, and said to her very low, "I love you,
+Esperance."
+
+She murmured, "You must not ... you must not."
+
+While he was loosing her chains he continued, "I love you and I will
+do anything to win your love."
+
+She strengthened herself desperately.
+
+"You do not need to do anything for it, alas!"
+
+And she fled.
+
+When the Count came to find her, there was only the Duke talking to
+the stage hands.
+
+"Where is Esperance?"
+
+"I have no idea," replied Charles de Morlay dryly.
+
+Albert turned on his heel, delighted to see the Duke out of humour.
+
+Genevieve caught up with Andromeda who was running away out of breath,
+seeing nothing, hearing nothing. Genevieve saw her enter the grove
+leading to the clearing and there she joined her.
+
+"Esperance, my darling, my little sister, stop, I beg you."
+
+Her voice calmed the girl. She caught hold of one of the branches and
+clung to it, gasping.
+
+"Genevieve, Genevieve, why am I here?"
+
+Her eyes shone with a wild light. She seemed to be absolutely exalted.
+
+"He loves me, he loves me...."
+
+"And I love him." And she threw herself in her friend's arms. "I am as
+happy as you now, for I love.... The thick cloud that hung over
+everything is gone. Everything is bright and beautiful. This dark
+grove is sparkling with sunlight and...?"
+
+Genevieve stopped her.
+
+"Little sister, you are raving. Your pulse is racing with fever. We
+must go back. Think of poor Albert."
+
+Esperance drew herself up proudly, replying, "I will never betray him,
+I will tell the truth, and I will become the wife of the Duke."
+
+"You are talking wildly, dearest, the Duke will not marry you."
+
+"He will marry me, I swear it!"
+
+"Albert will enter the Chartist Monastery and the Countess Styvens
+will die of sorrow."
+
+"The Countess Styvens," said Esperance slowly.
+
+As the sweet face of the mother came before her mind's eye she began
+to tremble all over.
+
+Maurice had followed the girls into the grove, and he found them now
+in each other's arms.
+
+"Genevieve," said Esperance, "not a word of what I have said!"
+
+"Have you both gone crazy? They are looking everywhere for Esperance
+for the 'Judgment of Paris,' and here you are congratulating and
+kissing each other!"
+
+"Cousin, I needed the air, don't scold. Genevieve looked for me and
+found me before anybody else, and I kissed her because I love her
+most."
+
+She spoke fast and laughed nervously.
+
+"Who freed you from your chains?"
+
+"Perseus, it was his duty!"
+
+"And now he is going to give you an apple."
+
+"Then," she said very prettily, "I must try to deserve it. Come help
+me to make myself beautiful."
+
+She led Genevieve away by the hand.
+
+Maurice remained rooted to the spot. Somehow he guessed what sudden
+change had operated upon his cousin's spirit. Something must have
+taken place in the corridor between these two! He murmured sadly,
+"Poor Albert, poor little cousin!"
+
+The young Count appeared before him in his most radiant humour.
+
+"I have just met Esperance," he said. "She was joyous, brilliant, I
+have never before seen her so happy!"
+
+Maurice gnawed his moustache, and moved rather angrily.
+
+"We should never have come here," he said, "success has turned her
+head."
+
+"She was born for success," said the Count. "I often ask myself
+whether I have a right to accept the sacrifice she is making for me."
+
+"My dear friend, when things are well you should leave them alone."
+
+"When you love as I love, you desire above everything the happiness of
+the one you love."
+
+"Unless the one you love should prefer someone else to you?"
+
+"You are wrong, Maurice. I would sacrifice myself for Esperance's
+happiness if I knew she wanted to marry another man."
+
+Maurice shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"We are not of the same race. Your blood runs colder in your veins
+than mine, for mine boils. But, perhaps you have a better
+understanding of these things?"
+
+And he left the Count to go and help the Duke prepare the "Judgment of
+Paris."
+
+Three young girls had been chosen for this tableau. Mlle. de Berneuve,
+a beautiful brunette (Hera); Mlle. Lebrun, with flaming hair (Athene);
+and Esperance, delicately blonde, was to represent Aphrodite, to whom
+the shepherd Paris would award the prize for beauty.
+
+To personify Aphrodite the girl wore a long pink tunic, with a peplum
+of the same colour heavily embroidered. Her hair was piled high on her
+head, leaving the lovely nape of her neck half covered by her
+draperies, her exquisitely delicate arms emerging from a sleeveless
+tunic. To represent the shepherd Paris, the Duke was wearing a short
+tunic embroidered with agate beads to hold the stuff down, and a sheep
+skin. A red cap was on his head. He was magnificent to look upon.
+
+The stage began to revolve. Paris held out his apple to Aphrodite, who
+went crimson at his glance. The girl's blushes did not escape the
+audience, where the comments varied according to the person who made
+them.
+
+Maurice, Genevieve, and Jean understood what Esperance read in Paris's
+eyes. A sad smile gave a melancholy grace to the lovely Aphrodite.
+Both the actors had forgotten that they were not alone. Hypnotized
+under the gaze of Paris, the young girl made a gesture towards him. A
+sharp, "Don't move" from the prompter brought her back to herself. She
+turned her head, saw the audience, with the eyes and glasses of
+everyone focussed upon her. It seemed to her that they must all know
+her secret. She tottered; and supported herself upon Athene. She must
+have fallen from the frame and been badly hurt, if the Duke had not
+caught her just in time. A cry escaped from the audience. The Marquis
+de Montagnac gave a sign to the stage hands to stop revolving the
+stage.
+
+Albert climbed up on the stage at once. He thrust Paris quickly aside,
+picked up the girl and carried her out on to the terrace. Maurice and
+Jean followed him. She was not unconscious, but she could not speak
+and she recognized no one. Genevieve knelt beside her. At first
+delicacy--discretion--held the spectators back, but curiosity soon
+drove them forward. But the Duke did not appear. He had seemingly
+vanished.
+
+The Doctor of the Chateau was called from playing croquet. He began by
+ordering the crowd away. Esperance was stretched out on an easy chair
+on the terrace. The Doctor looked at her for a moment, amazed at her
+beauty, then sat beside her, feeling her pulse. Genevieve described
+what had happened. He listened attentively.
+
+"There is nothing serious," he said, "only a little exhaustion and
+collapse. I will go and mix a soothing drink for her."
+
+Esperance, still unconscious, was carried by her fiance to her room,
+where Genevieve and Mlle. Frahender put her to bed. Albert went back
+to wait for the Doctor. Maurice went in search of Charles de Morlay.
+He met a forester, who told him that the Duke had gone for a ride in
+the forest, and had sent word to the Duchess that he might not be back
+to lunch.
+
+Maurice returned disturbed and thoughtful. Genevieve was waiting for
+him with the news that the Doctor had himself administered a sleeping
+draught to Esperance which he said should make her sleep at least five
+hours.
+
+"So much the better! That will give us a little time to consider and
+to decide what is to be done. The truth is that we ought to clear out
+this very day! Love is a miscreant!"
+
+"Not always, fortunately," murmured Genevieve.
+
+"You, Genevieve, have a balanced mind, calm, just. If only my cousin
+had your equilibrium!"
+
+"Oh! Maurice, Maurice...."
+
+A tear ran down Genevieve's eyelashes. She closed her eyes. He took
+the lovely head in his hands and his lips rested on her pure forehead.
+They remained so for one marvellous, never-to-be-forgotten second.
+
+When he left her Maurice met Albert Styvens. They walked side by side
+towards the woods.
+
+"I am very much alarmed," said the Count, "not about Esperance's health,
+but about her state of mind. I am a poor psychologist, but my love for
+your cousin has sharpened my wits. It seems to me that the Duke is
+trying to make Esperance love him."
+
+"Possibly; I had not noticed."
+
+"Yes, Maurice, you have noticed and you have no right to deny it. I
+want to ask your advice. The Duke and I both love your cousin. One of
+us must lose. Just now I repulsed the Duke so rudely that he could
+have demanded satisfaction, but I foresee that he will let it pass.
+That attitude, so unusual to his temperament, proves that he wants to
+avoid scandal. Why? What is his object?"
+
+"I don't know," said Maurice. "He has gone riding in the forest,
+probably to calm his nerves with solitude. He loves your fiancee, but
+his honour forces him to respect her."
+
+"Perhaps," said Albert.
+
+"I think," said Maurice, "that we should all leave this evening or
+to-morrow morning at the latest. Esperance is not ill, only worn out.
+She is easily exhausted."
+
+"And if she loves the Duke?" pursued the Count.
+
+"Then it is my place to ask you what you are going to do about it?"
+
+Albert was silent a minute, then raising his pale face, answered
+slowly: "If she loves the Duke, I shall have to ask him what are his
+intentions; and if, as I believe, he wishes to marry her, I shall die
+a Chartist!"
+
+The third gong vibrated, announcing lunch.
+
+After lunch, Albert, Maurice, Jean, and Genevieve settled themselves
+under a great oak, which was said to have been planted by a delightful
+little Duchess of Castel-Montjoie, who had been celebrated at Court
+during the Regency. A marble table and a heavy circular bench made
+this wild corner quite cosy, and sheltered from the sun and from the
+curious. The tree was just opposite the tower where Esperance was
+sleeping so deeply, and Mlle. Frahender was to give a signal from the
+window when she awoke. Neither of them felt much inclined for
+conversation, for their eyes were fixed on the window opposite. About
+half-past four Mlle. Frahender appeared, and Genevieve hastened to the
+room.
+
+Esperance was sitting up in bed, remembering nothing.
+
+"Albert, Maurice, and Jean are over there. Do you wish to see them?"
+
+Esperance rose up quickly, wrapping a robe of blue Japanese crepe
+embroidered in pink wisterias about her, and gracefully fastened up
+her hair.
+
+"Let them come, if you please, now."
+
+The young men entered and stopped in amazement at the change that had
+already taken place in her. Instead of finding her a wreck they
+discovered her pink, gay and laughing.
+
+"What happened to me?" she asked. "My little Mademoiselle does not
+know, she was not well herself. There is my Aphrodite costume. What
+happened to me?"
+
+"It was very simple," explained Maurice. "You stayed too long with
+your head hanging down during the rehearsal, and as you were tired it
+made you ill. Albert brought you here and you have been asleep for
+five hours. Now you are your charming self again. We will leave you so
+that you can dress, and then if you feel like it we will take you for
+a drive."
+
+"I will be very quick; in ten minutes I will be with you."
+
+The young people did not know what to think. It would now be very
+difficult to suggest that Esperance should withdraw from the fete, as
+apparently every trace of her indisposition had disappeared.
+
+Then Albert spoke:
+
+"I am going to ask Esperance to give up appearing at this performance
+as a favour to me," he said. "I shall contribute largely to the
+charitable fund, and we can go back to Penhouet."
+
+He had hardly finished speaking when Esperance came into the little
+salon.
+
+"Here I am you see and the ten minutes is not yet up!"
+
+A discreet tap at the door made them all turn round. The Dowager
+Duchess appeared.
+
+"Ah! my dear child, what a joy to see you so restored."
+
+"I must apologize, Madame, for the trouble I gave you. It is all over,
+all over," she said, shaking her pretty head; "and I am as well as
+possible."
+
+"I am more than delighted," said the Duchess, sitting down. "You have no
+idea, my dear Albert, of the perfect disaster Esperance's absence would
+have caused. She is the star of our bill, as they say, and on whom we
+all rely. You know that my son wants to be elected Deputy, and this
+fete will secure him the votes of the whole community. More than
+fifteen hundred people have taken tickets. The local livery stable men
+count on making a fortune. All the villagers are getting their rooms
+ready to let. If that adorable child had failed us nothing could have
+made it up to them, and my son would have been ruined."
+
+She rose up.
+
+"But," she added, with the sweet smile that won all hearts, "you see
+me so happy, so reassured, that you must all be joyful with me."
+
+The young people led her to the foot of the stair. The carriage was
+waiting to take them for their drive.
+
+The visit from the amiable Duchess rather disconcerted Albert, and
+Jean, and Maurice and Genevieve. Everything seemed like the warring of
+an implacable destiny. All four felt absolutely impotent.
+
+The drive was stimulating. Esperance drew life at every breath. They
+could watch the colour coming back into her cheeks.
+
+As the carriage came out into a clearing, the Duke de Morlay rode
+wildly by. His horse was covered with sweat and trembling so that he
+had some difficulty in mastering it. The Duke inquired for Esperance's
+health and decided that it must be excellent from her looks.
+
+"But my dear Albert," he said, laughing, "you almost knocked me over
+this morning, however, I do not blame you, I would have done as much
+myself in your place. However, I must be off, my horse is fagged. I
+shall see you later."
+
+And he was gone.
+
+"How pale the Duke looked," exclaimed Esperance.
+
+"He is fatigued, he has been riding since this morning."
+
+"Did he not lunch with you, cousin?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Why did he go away in such haste?"
+
+"You are too curious."
+
+Then, looking hard at her, "Perhaps he thought, like the good Duchess,
+that your weakness was serious, and that all his little arrangements
+were going to fall through."
+
+"I understand that the Duchess cared, since the election of her son is
+at stake, but the Duke, how would it affect him?"
+
+Albert sitting opposite her in the carriage, looked her full in the
+face.
+
+"Perhaps he will never find another opportunity to pay his court to
+you."
+
+"Whew, that is straightforward bluntness for you!" thought Maurice.
+
+Esperance grew red. The recollection of what had happened began to
+come back little by little. She closed her eyes to be able to think
+more clearly. Albert left her in her silence a minute, then he said,
+"We had planned to carry you away to-day, but you heard what the
+Duchess said just now. I feel bound by the confidence of that old
+friend to remain. My fate is in your pretty hands. Be circumspect with
+the Duke. Frank, and loyal with your fiance."
+
+And he took her hands, in a long kiss.
+
+The coachman was told to turn around, for it was getting late. The
+horses set off at a trot.
+
+Nothing more was said between them, about the Duke.
+
+After dinner, the Duke arose, and announced, "The fete will be the day
+after to-morrow. We have only rehearsed once, and then, not in full. I
+feel somewhat responsible for the exhaustion of our little star. Her
+head, hanging down, was so beautiful, that I thought only of the pose,
+without realizing how painful it must have become to the artist. I ask
+Mile. Darbois' pardon. Also, I should like another stage director. I
+propose M. Maurice Renaud, our ingenious collaborator, to whom we owe
+our magnificent costumes, and originality of our decorations."
+
+Everyone applauded, and Maurice was proclaimed director of the fete.
+
+"I thank you, and accept", he said simply.
+
+He thought, "That is his way of getting rid of me."
+
+"I hope, my dear Director," continued the Duke, "that you will make us
+rehearse hard to-morrow. If anything goes wrong we shall still have
+the morning of the following day, for the fete does not begin until
+half-past two."
+
+Maurice rose, and in a comical tone announced, "Ladies, gentlemen, and
+artists, I beg you to be prompt for a rehearsal of the tableaux
+vivants to-morrow at ten o'clock. Any artist who is late, will pay a
+fine of a hundred francs, to the poor of the Duchess." And as they
+laughingly protested, "There is a quarter of an hour's grace accorded
+as in the theatres, but not one instant more. My stage-manager is
+empowered to collect the fines."
+
+They followed the action of the Duchess and rose from their seats. The
+Duke went over to Maurice.
+
+"I would like to talk over some of the details with you. They must
+interest us, but they mean nothing to the others. A cigarette?"
+
+They strolled to the end of the terrace. A pretty Chinese umbrella
+sheltered a delightful nook. The Duke and Maurice dropped into easy
+chairs.
+
+"Will you give me your word that what I am going to say to you will be
+for you alone; that you will not repeat it?"
+
+The young man refused, "How can I give my word without even knowing
+the subject of your confidences?"
+
+"It concerns your cousin."
+
+"Then it concerns Count Styvens."
+
+"Indirectly, yes."
+
+Maurice got up.
+
+"I would rather not listen to you, for my duty as a man of honour
+would compel me to speak, should it be necessary."
+
+The Duke sat still and reflected for a minute.
+
+"Very well, you shall judge when you have heard me, what you think you
+had better do. I leave you free. I love your cousin Esperance: she is
+the fiancee of Count Albert, but she is not in love with him."
+
+Maurice had thrown away his cigarette and leaning forward, his hands
+clasped, his eyes on the ground, listened intently.
+
+"I have paid her in a way attentions for a year; I admit it was wrong
+for I had no definite intentions. A visit to Penhouet, however,
+completely changed my opinion of this little maiden. The atmosphere of
+beauty, of calm in which she lived, the liking and respect I felt for
+M. and Madame Darbois, and the free play of intelligence and taste I
+there discovered, made a deep impression on me and I could not forget.
+The ordinary life of society, so artificial, so devoid of real
+interest, this life that eats up hours and weeks and months in
+futilities, in nothings that come to nothing, all this became suddenly
+quite burdensome to me. I continuously thought of the adorable child I
+had seen at Penhouet, brighter than all else in that radiant place. I
+was travelling, and did not learn of the accident to your cousin and
+Count Styvens until I returned to Paris. Then I wrote for news."
+
+"I came back here to my old aunt's, my nearest relative. I wanted to
+ask her to invite the whole of the Darbois family to spend a month
+here at Montjoie. A letter from Count Albert, announcing his
+engagement to Esperance, was a terrible blow to me. I conceived the
+detestable idea of revenging myself on Albert, but every scheme went
+against me. I have been beaten without ever having fought." Then he
+paused.
+
+"Since you have done me the honour to make me your confidant, permit
+me to say that the little ambush you laid for Esperance this
+morning...."
+
+The Duke interrupted, "That ambush was a vulgar trick, theatrical and
+cheap. I spare you the trouble of having to tell me so. I was about to
+disclose myself to the young ladies when I heard your cousin speak my
+name. Then I kept still, hoping to learn something. What man could
+have resisted? I heard these words spoken to Mlle. Hardouin, 'Yes, the
+presence of the Duke of Morlay disturbs me; I do not know if that is
+love, but I do know that I do not love Albert.' They went on towards
+the clearing; I was compelled to leave my hiding place. You know the
+rest. The cry the child gave, and her look of reproach unmanned me. I
+understood at that moment that I loved in deadly earnest; that my
+intention of avenging myself on Albert was nothing but a vain
+manifestation of pride, that the ambush was a cowardly concession to
+my reputation as a--well, deceiver of women. You know what I mean."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders scornfully.
+
+"The man I was trying to be has left the man I am, and now, Renaud,
+here is what I want you to know. Esperance Darbois loves me, I was
+convinced of that at the rehearsal. I love her ardently in return. She
+will not be happy with Albert, and I want to marry her. I will employ
+no 'illicit means,' as the lawyers say. On other scores I shall feel
+no remorse to have broken your cousin's engagement. My fortune is
+twice Albert's; he is a Count, I a Duke, and what is more, a
+Frenchman."
+
+Maurice stood up nervously.
+
+"You are a very gallant man, Duke, and my sympathy was yours from your
+first visit to Penhouet, but I am greatly distressed that you should
+have made me your confidant, for I must in honour bound support
+Albert."
+
+"I do not see why! It seems to me that the happiness of your cousin
+might count before any friendship for Albert Styvens."
+
+"But where is her real happiness, I might say her lasting happiness?"
+
+The moon had risen radiantly pure. From their elevation on the
+terrace, they could overlook all the garden and park sloping gently to
+the lake. In a boat two young girls were rowing. They were alone.
+
+"You leave me free to act?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+"Till to-morrow," said Maurice pressing his hands.
+
+The Duke remained alone on the terrace. He saw the young man go
+rapidly towards the lake. He heard him hail the girls and saw him
+climb into the boat with them, then disappear after he had waved with
+Genevieve's handkerchief a signal of adieu.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+
+When Maurice and Esperance and Genevieve landed, the Duke was still
+pacing up and down on the terrace. Maurice had jumped lightly on to
+the shore, and had helped the young girls out, and having taken them
+to the Chateau, rejoined the Duke who was waiting for him.
+
+"You are right. Esperance loves you. My uncle comes to-morrow evening.
+He is a man of such uprightness that he will find, no doubt, the best
+solution of this most complicated situation. Only I beg you to spare
+Albert."
+
+The Duke replied instantly, "I will make every effort to be generous;
+but this morning he thrust me away from your cousin in a deliberate
+attempt to insult me. I pretended to blame it on his anxiety, but I
+may not be able to control myself again, if he drives me so far."
+
+"Alas! I am afraid that you are both of you at the mercy of the first
+thing that happens. For the love of God, keep cool. And don't forget
+to come to-morrow at ten for the rehearsal."
+
+And they parted.
+
+Maurice did not sleep a wink. Esperance and Genevieve went to bed very
+late, after talking for a long time of the future.
+
+"Poor Albert," murmured the little star still as she closed her eyes
+in the very moment of gliding into the unreal life of dreams.
+
+Mlle. Frahender had some difficulty next morning in waking the two
+young girls. Another maid waited on them, for the Duke had sent his
+goddaughter back to her family.
+
+"Let us all three take our chocolate together on this little table.
+The sun is so gentle this morning, to-day ought to have a beautiful
+life ahead of it. My parents come at six and we must go to meet them."
+
+She chattered on all through the breakfast, and kissed Genevieve in
+overflowing happiness.
+
+"I love to see you so, Esperance," said the old Mademoiselle. "You
+have scarcely seemed yourself lately, even at Penhouet. Now you are
+truly yourself, you are radiant with your seventeen years. It is a
+pleasure to look at you and to listen to you."
+
+When the two girls came into the hall the Director, Maurice Renaud,
+the Marquis Assistant, and the stage-manager, Louis de Marset, were
+the only others who had arrived. The manufacturer of the paper models
+was arranging the rock, the dragon, and the headless horse in the
+middle of the room. He held a brush red with dragon's blood, gave it a
+touch, and recoiled to admire the effect; then taking the sea weed he
+had gathered from real rocks, began placing it in little bunches on
+his pasteboard rock.
+
+"In regard to the half white horse, a magnificent cardboard mount,"
+said Maurice, flatteringly, "we shall not use it. Another tableau has
+been substituted for that one."
+
+The Assistant came up to Maurice. "Can you tell me, sir, why they will
+not give the 'Europa and the Bull'?"
+
+"Because Mlle. Darbois has been far from well, and the Duchess has
+requested that she shall not appear in more than two tableaux. She is
+to play a very difficult duet, as well, you know, and afterwards she
+will have to talk to all the people who crowd around her to buy
+flowers."
+
+Jean was charged with excluding all those who were not in the
+tableaux. Albert was included in those not admitted, and he certainly
+would have held it against the Duke, had he still been Director; but
+Jean explained to him that Maurice had taken this means of making the
+rehearsal go more quickly. Genevieve, who was also excluded, kept the
+Count company, and tried to distract him; but he was in a very
+despondent humour. When he saw the Duke arrive so late, he said,
+somewhat crossly, "He is delaying the rehearsal."
+
+"Oh! no," said Genevieve, "he does not come on until the second group,
+and there is no need for him to appear in costume."
+
+When Andromeda was extended upon her rock the Duke took his position.
+They were alone in their wooden frame.
+
+"Won't you trust yourself to me?" he breathed.
+
+"I love you with all my soul."
+
+"My life is yours," she replied.
+
+The scene had turned very quickly, the curtain, had fallen. Maurice
+came up and helped the Duke to unfasten the girl. She was radiant. He
+was transformed. Maurice guessed that they had spoken together, but he
+asked nothing.
+
+The second tableau was given immediately. Paris was not in costume. He
+held the apple to the glorious Aphrodite, the picture turned, the
+rehearsal was over for Esperance. The Duke still had to take part in
+two other scenes.
+
+When Esperance was dressed she followed Maurice's advice to go join
+Genevieve and Albert.
+
+"What a relief," he exclaimed at sight of her, "I began to think it
+would never be over."
+
+"Yet we did not lose any time."
+
+"Oh, no! but now it will go more slowly. The Countess de Morgueil will
+have to make several repetitions of her tableau of the enchantress
+Melusina."
+
+It was the little de Marset who had spoken. Esperance started. For a
+long time it had been rumoured that the very pretty Countess de
+Morgueil, widowed two years ago, was violently infatuated with the
+Duke de Morlay, who was said not to be indifferent to her affection.
+
+Afraid apparently that his meaning had not been plain, Marset
+insisted, "she is always circling about the Duke."
+
+"But does he care for her?" asked a young woman with a hard face, who
+was just going to give herself a dose of morphine, and who was never
+seen without a cigarette between her lips.
+
+"Who knows?" queried Marset, with a knowing air.
+
+Esperance had grown very pale. Albert was controlling himself with
+difficulty. He observed Genevieve's constraint, and the trouble of his
+fiancee.
+
+"Shall we walk a little?"
+
+They walked towards the woods and Maurice, in some excitement, soon
+joined them. He was greatly troubled, and longed to be able to tell
+Albert how things were going. He was very fond of this fine fellow,
+and at the same time felt great sympathy for the Duke. He understood
+perfectly well why Esperance should prefer him to the Count, but at
+the same time he blamed her a little for causing so many
+complications. When he saw her so fresh and charming beside Albert, he
+grew more disturbed. Genevieve quietly drew him aside.
+
+"You are getting excited, Maurice, and I see clearly that you are
+blaming Esperance, but let me tell you, dear love, that you are
+unjust. At this moment Esperance is walking in a dream. Nothing real
+exists for her. For three months she has suffered very much, struggled
+very much, and felt so much. Events have come very quickly. She finds
+herself all of a sudden at the fount of the realization of all her
+fondest hopes; to be loved by the one she loves!... Be patient,
+Maurice, she is so young and so sensitive...."
+
+"Your heart, dearest Genevieve, is an admirable accountant. It adds
+the reasons, multiplies the excuses, subtracts the errors, and divides
+the responsibility. You are adorable and I love you with all my heart.
+Come with me, it is time for the concert. You go on immediately after
+Delaunay. The Duchess is unable to contain herself at the idea of
+hearing you recite her poem."
+
+The Duke passed by, accompanied by the pretty Countess de Morgueil, at
+whose conversation he was smiling politely and replying vaguely. He
+seemed not to have seen the others. Like Esperance, he was living in a
+world of dreams, happy in a realm where there was neither impatience
+nor jealousy. He knew that he was loved.
+
+After lunch Esperance said that she was going to rest, so as to be
+fresh for next day. Her father and mother were to come on the
+Princess's little yacht. She and Mlle. Frahender were to go alone to
+meet them. That gave her several hours of solitude to think of him,
+only of him.
+
+Maurice repeated his last orders for the engrossing fete, against
+which he railed ceaselessly, in spite of Genevieve's constant efforts
+to calm him.
+
+"Oh! of course, it is perfectly evident that I am unreasonable, I know
+it; but if I break my leg slipping on an orange peel, you would not
+prevent me from swearing at the person who had peeled the fruit there,
+would you?"
+
+Genevieve laughed in spite of herself. "Be a good boy, tell your uncle
+everything as soon as he comes; but say nothing against Esperance, for
+that would not be right."
+
+Her lovely face was very sad. Maurice looked at her with a world of
+tenderness, "My darling, forgive me; the truth is that I am so
+worried. Albert's face is hard and set. He knows nothing, cannot know
+anything, but he is gifted with the intuition that simple souls often
+possess. I am very uneasy, I can tell you. Say nothing to Esperance.
+Come now, let us stroll into this thicket and talk just by ourselves
+for awhile."
+
+They entered the thicket, holding each other close, in silence. When
+they came to the clearing they stopped short. The Duke was there,
+stretched out upon the bench, smoking, dreaming.
+
+He got up, surprised, and apologized.
+
+"I had just come back here to live over an unforgettable moment."
+
+"This corner must be the rendezvous for the slaves of the little god,"
+said Maurice, bowing to the statuette of _Love Enchained_. "We
+will leave you."
+
+"No," said the Duke quickly, "Please stay. Your happiness shows me the
+vision of which I dreamed. Art is the inspiration of the beautiful,
+and I believe, that artists have a more delicate sense of love than
+other people.
+
+"I believe, in truth," said Maurice, "that artists, move in a much
+larger world than that which is inhabited by either the bourgeoisie or
+the aristocracy."
+
+They talked for a long time, and returned to the Chateau together.
+
+Albert was beneath the green oak, talking to the Dowager Duchess, who
+was telling him how much she admired Genevieve. She had repeated her
+poem so wonderfully to her alone that morning! They did not see the
+trio emerge from the thicket, and Maurice was glad of it. He felt more
+and more constrained. The complicity against the poor fellow's
+happiness seemed to him a form of treason. He looked at his watch. It
+was only five o'clock.
+
+"That is impossible. This watch must have stopped."
+
+The Duke went to his room. His man gave him an elegant little note,
+and as his master threw it down on the table, "They await an answer."
+
+"Very well, I will send one."
+
+The servant withdrew. On the stair he met an English maid waiting the
+answer.
+
+"Monsieur will send an answer."
+
+"The Countess will be displeased. These French gentlemen are more
+gallant but less polite than our English lords. She is as much in love
+as Love itself."
+
+"He also is in love."
+
+"Then it ought to be easy enough, for Madame is a widow."
+
+"But it is not your mistress that he loves."
+
+"Ah! who then?"
+
+"Ah! nothing for nothing." And he held out his hands.
+
+"Ah! shocking!"
+
+"Very well," and he started, as if to return to his master.
+
+She stopped him.
+
+"Monsieur, Gustave you know very well that I am promised."
+
+"Nothing for nothing."
+
+Again he held out his hands. She hesitated a moment, looking up and
+down, and then let him have her finger tips. With a brutal gesture he
+caught her to him and kissed her furiously. The little English maid,
+blushing and rumpled, drew back and announced coldly, "You French are
+brutes. Now, the information I paid for in advance."
+
+"Very well. He is in love with little Esperance Darbois."
+
+"The actress? But she is engaged to Count Styvens."
+
+"It is the truth I have told you," replied the valet, proud of his own
+importance, "and if you will meet me in the grove, during dinner, I
+will tell you some more."
+
+"Thanks, I know enough now," said the maid dryly, leaving him.
+
+She disappeared, but Gustave preened himself, certain of success. As
+he went downstairs he saw Count Albert, helping the old Mademoiselle
+and her charge into the carriage. Instinctively, he looked up to see
+his master's silhouette at the window. Albert was asking to be allowed
+to go with them, but Esperance had promised herself a quiet and
+restful drive.
+
+"No, Albert, we shall be four with my father and mother, and this is a
+small carriage."
+
+"But I will sit with the coachman."
+
+"Look," said the young girl, laughing, "at the size of the seat, and
+remember that there will be two large bags and a hat box, a very big
+hat box, to hold a hat for mama, one for Genevieve, and one for me."
+
+Albert sighed sadly and closed the carriage door, after he had kissed
+his fiancee's hand. As the carriage drove away he went up to the room
+his mother was to occupy when she arrived next day, and looked to see
+if all was ready.
+
+He took a book and tried to read, but after a couple of minutes he
+threw it aside and went out of doors again. He stopped a moment on the
+terrace, considering where to go. A young lady stopped him as he was
+preparing to go down the steps.
+
+"All alone, Count, and dreaming! Ah! you are thinking of her. Come,
+let us stroll along together."
+
+And the young Countess de Morgueil took his arm before he had time to
+answer.
+
+"You were not at the rehearsal this morning. You know that they have
+given up the tableaux of 'Europa.' Did you insist upon it?"
+
+"No, why should I have made myself so ridiculous?"
+
+"But the Duke pretended...."
+
+"Dear Madame, the Duke could not have pretended anything except that he
+did not wish to appear without any clothes on, a decision that I heartily
+approved of."
+
+"They say that he tries to fascinate every woman he meets. What do you
+think?"
+
+"And what do you?" said the Count, looking her straight in the eye.
+
+"Oh! he would never cause me great palpitation," she returned
+meaningly.
+
+"Are you making any allusion to Mlle. Darbois?" he asked, stopping
+abruptly.
+
+"I am engaged to Mlle. Darbois, I believe you know, Madame. You are
+piqued because you love the Duke de Morlay and he seems to be
+deserting you to hover near my fiancee. Do as I do; have a little
+patience; to-morrow by this time the fete will be over and I shall
+have left with Mlle. Darbois. Don't be either too nervous or too
+malicious, it does not agree with your type of beauty. I kiss your
+hands."
+
+He went towards the Chateau, and took up his vigil in the little salon
+adjoining Esperance's room.
+
+The Countess of Morgueil was confused and mortified. "He is not so
+stupid as he looks," she thought.
+
+Albert was reading, but listening all the time. Finally a carriage
+stopped before the Chateau. He went down quickly and caught Esperance
+in his arms so tightly that the young girl gave a little scream.
+
+"Oh! pardon, pardon. It is so long since I have seen you."
+
+He kissed Mme. Darbois's hand and almost crushed the professor's
+fingers in his nervous grasp. He asked anxiously concerning Penhouet,
+and expressed his desire to return there immediately. Maurice and
+Genevieve came running up.
+
+"How happy every one looks here," said Mme. Darbois.
+
+"Don't believe it, my dear aunt; we are standing on a volcano."
+
+"Ah! the cares of the fete weigh upon you. It always seems as if
+everything were going wrong at the last moment."
+
+She laughed, proud of her penetrations. Genevieve tugged at Maurice's
+vest as he was about to set the dear lady right.
+
+"Ah! well, I leave you to dress. This evening, uncle, I want to have a
+chat with you as I have something serious to say to you."
+
+The philosopher and his wife looked at each other understandingly.
+
+"Very well, my boy, I shall be entirely at your disposal for as long
+as you like, for I can guess...."
+
+And he looked at Genevieve. Maurice despaired of ever making him
+understand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+
+Everyone greeted the philosopher with delight when he appeared in the
+ante-chamber where the guests were assembled before dinner. The Duke
+came to present his greetings to Mme. Darbois and stayed talking to
+her for some time. He saw that she liked him, but foresaw at the same
+time that it would be very painful for the good woman to have to
+accept another son-in-law. During dinner the Duchess steered the
+conversation towards philosophy, wishing to please Francois, who was
+placed on her right--art and science being to her the highest titles
+of nobility.
+
+"Ah! I am no philosopher," protested the Marquis de Montagnac. "I
+accept old age only as a chastisement, and not having committed any
+criminal act, I revolt against the injustice of it."
+
+And Louis de Marset, bending towards his neighbour, who had had a
+great reputation for beauty before age and illness had pulled her
+down, remarked, "One cannot be and have been, is not that true,
+Madame?"
+
+"You are mistaken, my dear sir. There are some poor people who are
+born fools and never change."
+
+A smile of delight appeared on every face.
+
+The Duke found himself in an argument with Lord Glerey, a phlegmatic
+Englishman, whose marital misfortunes had made both London and Paris
+laugh.
+
+"You seem," said the Duke, "to confuse indifference with philosophy."
+
+"I do not confuse them, my dear sir. My apparent indifference is
+simply scorn for the sarcasms, the cruelty of the people of society
+who are always ready to rejoice when anyone attacks the honour or love
+of another."
+
+The Duke murmured slowly, "Certainly what they call 'the world'
+deserves scorn. And all the same, taken separately, every individual
+of this collectivity is a man or woman like any other, a suffering
+being, who laughs just the same, like an eternal Figaro, for fear of
+being compelled to weep."
+
+Count Albert was talking to an old sceptic.
+
+"But," the Countess de Morgueil addressed him suddenly, "What would
+you do, if on the eve of attaining the longed-for happiness, you found
+yourself suddenly confronted by an insurmountable obstacle."
+
+"Everything would depend on the quality of the happiness in prospect,
+Madame. Some happiness easily abandoned, and some happiness is to be
+struggled for until death itself."
+
+Maurice had guessed the point of this sudden attack. He was none the
+less surprised by Albert's answer.
+
+"Decidedly, it is going to be even more difficult than I feared," he
+thought.
+
+Indeed, Count Albert had evidently assumed a change of attitude. Love
+and jealousy had transformed this simple and generous heart into a
+being of metal; he had not lost any of his goodness, but he had put
+his soul in a state of defence and prepared himself for the struggle.
+He did not know anything, but his presentiments filled him with
+anguish. He was not unaware that his austerity provoked irony, but now
+it seemed to him that the irony was taking a form of pity which
+enraged him.
+
+Dinner was over, the great hall filled with groups gathered together
+as their tastes dictated. Bridge and poker tables were produced, and
+some of the young people gathered about a table where liqueurs were
+being served. Maurice took his uncle by the arm and led him away.
+
+"Let us go to your room, for no one must hear what I have to say to
+you."
+
+"Not even your aunt?"
+
+"No, uncle, not even aunt."
+
+Francois was astonished, for he had supposed that it was of his own
+future that Maurice wished to speak. They went towards the Tower of
+Saint Genevieve.
+
+"Uncle, what I have to say to you is very grave."
+
+"What a lot of preamble! Well, I am listening."
+
+"The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche loves Esperance passionately."
+
+"Well, that is a pity for the Duke, but he will console himself easily
+enough."
+
+Maurice was silent before he continued, "Esperance is madly in love
+with the Duke!"
+
+Francois started violently.
+
+"You are raving, Maurice; she is engaged to Count Styvens and has no
+right to forget him."
+
+"She has never been in love with the Count, and can hardly endure him
+since she has foreseen another future."
+
+"What future?"
+
+"The Duke wants to marry Esperance."
+
+"But it is impossible, impossible," said the philosopher violently. "A
+word that has been given cannot be taken back so lightly."
+
+"Calm yourself, uncle, if you please. For three days I have been
+wandering about in this untenable situation. We must make a decision.
+Every instant I fear an outbreak either from Albert or from the Duke."
+
+"How have Esperance and the Duke contrived to see each other?"
+
+"I will tell you all that uncle, later, but the how and the why are
+not very important at this moment. I want you to send for Albert.
+Esperance does not wish to marry him. She has loved the Duke a long
+time, but did not know that he loved her, and did not suppose an
+alliance possible between our families, even though you have made the
+name illustrious. For that matter I should never have supposed myself
+that the Duke would consent to make what would generally be considered
+a mesalliance."
+
+"It all seems unbelievable," murmured Francois.
+
+And with his head in his hands he groaned despairingly, "How can we
+sacrifice that noble and unfortunate Albert?"
+
+"One of the three must suffer, uncle. It would be a crime to sacrifice
+Esperance who has the right to love whom she pleases and to choose her
+own life. The Duke Morlay is loved, Count Albert is not and never has
+been. He knows it as you know it now. Esperance consented to marry him
+through gratitude to you."
+
+"Ah! I feared as much," said the professor prostrated.
+
+Francois Darbois remained a long time in thought, then he got up, his
+face lined with sadness.
+
+"Tell your cousin to come to me, I will wait for her here."
+
+"I will send her to you at once. Forgive me for having so distressed
+you, dear uncle."
+
+"It was your duty!"
+
+Francois pressed his hand affectionately. Left alone he felt
+despairing. The futility of the precautions he had taken, the inanity
+of all reasoning, of all logic, plunged him into the scepticism he had
+been combatting for so many years.
+
+Maurice found his cousin talking to Albert, the Marquis of Montagnac,
+and Genevieve.
+
+"Your father is feeling a little indisposed and is going to bed. Would
+not you like to say good-night to him?"
+
+Esperance rose immediately. Albert wanted to go with her, but Maurice
+held him back, and began asking under what conditions he proposed to
+play the duet with Esperance next day.
+
+"It is all one to me," replied the Count wearily. "I am in a hurry to
+get away from here. I find myself too much disturbed by my nerves, and
+you know, cousin, how unusual it is for me to be nervous."
+
+At this term of family familiarity, Maurice shivered. He thought of
+the interview now taking place in his uncle's room. Genevieve joined
+them and they strolled up and down, but Albert made them return
+continually near the tower.
+
+When Esperance opened the door of the little salon where her father
+was waiting, she saw him in such an attitude of distress that she
+threw herself at his knees.
+
+"Father, darling father, I ask your pardon. I am ruining your life
+just as you begin to reap the harvest of so many noble efforts. You
+have been so good to me," she sobbed, "and I must seem to you so
+ungrateful. Do not suffer so, I beg you. Take me away with you, let us
+go and I will do my best to forget; let us go!"
+
+"But," said the Professor, hesitatingly, "Albert would follow."
+
+The girl rose.
+
+"Oh! no, not that. I wish I could marry Albert without loving him; I
+have tried, but I cannot go on to the end, I cannot!"
+
+"You really love the Duke?"
+
+"Father, for a whole year I have struggled against that love."
+
+"Why have you never told me?"
+
+"Because I saw nothing in the Duke's attentions except the agitation
+they caused me; and I was too ashamed to speak of it to you. I
+thought, considering the position of the Duke, that I was an aspiring
+fool. He overheard me talking to Genevieve. When he appeared before
+us, I so little expected to see him there at such an hour--six o'clock
+in the morning, in the grove--that my heart could not bear the shock,
+and I fainted. From that instant I understood how much I loved him. I
+had no idea before of the power of love, but now I feel it the master
+of my life. I will sacrifice that to your will, father; but I will not
+sacrifice the immense happiness of loving. Even if the Duke did not
+love me, I should still be uplifted by my own love."
+
+She sat down beside her father.
+
+"Who knows what unhappiness may not be lurking for me, ready to spring
+at any moment?"
+
+She drew near him shivering.
+
+Francois took her charming head in his hands. He looked at her
+tenderly, but with an expression almost of terror in his face.
+
+"Alas! all happiness built upon the unhappiness of others always risks
+disillusionment--and collapse."
+
+"Dear father, my life has been bathed in such sunlight for the last
+three days, that I shall keep that glow of warmth for the rest of my
+life."
+
+"I only ask, you little daughter, to do nothing, to say nothing,
+before the end of this fete. We have no right, however grave our
+personal troubles and responsibilities are, to betray the hospitality
+of the Duchess. To-morrow, after the fete, I will talk to Albert. Go,
+my darling, go back to that poor boy. I hate to send you to practice a
+dissimulation that I abhor, but we are in a situation of such delicacy
+and difficulty.... God keep you!"
+
+He kissed her tenderly. She went back to her fiance, to find to her
+surprise that the Countess de Morgueil had just passed by with him.
+Maurice pointed them out where they were walking slowly in the
+distance.
+
+"Oh! so much the better," said Esperance. "That gives me an excuse to
+go to my room."
+
+Maurice urged her to wait. "I am convinced that that woman is meddling
+in our affairs. It is plain enough that we have upset her."
+
+"How? What do you mean, cousin?"
+
+"Did you not know that the Countess is madly in love with the Duke,
+and that she had hoped to marry him this winter?"
+
+"Poor woman," sighed Esperance, sincerely.
+
+The Duke came by, and seeing them alone, he joined them.
+
+"The three of you alone?" he cried. "Then you will allow me to join
+you for a moment?"
+
+"Look," said Maurice, indicating Albert and the Countess de Morgueil.
+
+"There is a dangerous woman who is making mischief at this moment!...
+And, nevertheless, I owe her the happiness this moment brings me."
+
+"My father," said Esperance, "has been as indulgent to me as always."
+
+"Thanks for these tidings," said the Duke. "Do you think he will
+receive me to-morrow, if I go to him?"
+
+"Oh! certainly, after the fete; a little while after, for first he
+wished to speak to Count Styvens," she said timidly.
+
+"Will you," the Duke asked Maurice, "make an appointment for me, and
+tell me as soon as you have an answer?"
+
+"With pleasure."
+
+The Duke bowed to the girls and withdrew. He took Maurice's hand, "I
+am happy, my friend, everything is going as I wish. I seem to hear
+laughter coming out of the shadows."
+
+And he disappeared.
+
+The young people waited for Albert a little while longer, but as he
+did not appear, Maurice advised the girls to retire, and he returned
+to sit down anxiously under the oak.
+
+He had been there hardly a quarter of an hour when he saw the Countess
+de Morgueil go by. She was alone and walked nervously. On the doorstep
+she stopped and looked back into the distance. He saw her tremble,
+then go in quickly. He stood up on his bench to see what she had been
+looking at, but he almost fell, and had to steady himself by holding
+on to a branch. Albert and the Duke were together. Albert had put his
+hand on the Duke's shoulder, and the Duke had removed that great hand.
+They were walking side by side towards the extensive terrace that
+commanded the countryside.
+
+"Oh! the wretched woman! What can she have said? And to be able to do
+nothing, nothing," he thought.
+
+He lighted a cigarette, waiting, he did not know for what. But he
+could not go back to his room.
+
+As he put his hand on the Duke's shoulder Albert had said, "I wish to
+talk to you."
+
+"Very well. I am listening."
+
+"I want you to answer me with perfect truth."
+
+"Your request would be offensive, Albert, if it were not for your
+emotion."
+
+"Is it true that you love Esperance Darbois?"
+
+"It is true."
+
+"Is it true that you want to marry her?"
+
+"It is true."
+
+"My God! My God!" muttered Albert, and he stopped for a minute. He was
+choking. The Duke felt a profound pity for this man who was suffering
+at this moment the most terrible pain.
+
+"Do you believe that she loves you?" Albert still went on.
+
+"I have answered you with perfect frankness concerning myself, but do
+not ask me to answer for Mlle. Darbois."
+
+"Yes; you are right, you cannot answer for her. I know that she does
+not love me, but I hoped to make her love me. I wanted to make her so
+happy!... That love has made a different man of me. What I regarded
+yesterday as a crime seems to me now the will of destiny. One of us
+two must disappear. If you kill me, I know her soul, she will not
+marry you; she would die rather. If I kill you, the tender compassion
+she feels for me will be changed into hatred. What I am doing now is a
+brutal act, an animal act, but I cannot do otherwise! My religious
+education had restrained my passions! At least I thought so," he said,
+passing his great hand across his stubborn forehead. "But no! My youth
+denied of love takes a terrible revenge upon me now, and I have to
+exert a horrible effort now not to strangle you."
+
+The Duke had not stirred.
+
+"I am at your orders, Albert; only I think you will have to arm
+yourself with patience for several hours longer. This fete, given by
+the Duchess, cannot be prevented by our quarrel. I suggest that you
+postpone our meeting until to-morrow evening. Our witnesses can meet
+if you like at one o'clock at the little Inn of the 'Three Roads.' It
+is only ten minutes distance from here. The innkeeper is loyal to me,
+I am his daughter's godfather. The garden is cut by a long alley which
+can serve as the field of honour. I will go at once to warn De
+Montagnac and his brother; then I will go to the 'Three Roads.'"
+
+"Good," said Albert.
+
+"Naturally, we leave Maurice Renaud out of our quarrel."
+
+"Certainly," said Charles de Morlay bowing.
+
+They parted. From a distance the young painter saw the Duke enter the
+great hall. Several minutes later Albert's tall form barred the
+horizon for a moment. He looked at the Tower of Saint Genevieve, then
+he also entered the hall. Then Maurice decided to go in himself. He
+sat down by a little table littered with magazines and periodicals,
+and picked up one, without ceasing for an instant to watch the two
+men. The Duke de Morlay was standing behind the Marquis, who was still
+at the whist table. Albert Styvens had sat down beside a diplomat from
+Italy, Cesar Gabrielli, a serious young man, a clever diplomat, and a
+renowned fencer. When Montagnac finished his hand, the Duke offered
+him a cigar.
+
+"Will you help me with some arrangements for the performance
+to-morrow?"
+
+He was about to refuse, but the Duke said briefly, "It is important,
+come!"
+
+The two of them went out, only lingering a little on the way for a
+joke with the men and a compliment to the ladies. Then Maurice watched
+the diplomat, who rose at the same time, and invited Albert to admire
+the moon from the terrace. Maurice saw them disappearing towards the
+corner by the Chinese umbrella. That was the end of the terrace, and
+was out of sight from all the windows.
+
+"It is all plain enough," thought the young man, "but when, where?"
+
+He understood that neither of the two adversaries could take him
+either for confidant or for second.
+
+"However," he said, as he went to his room. "I want to know. I must
+know. I will know."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+
+The next day, the day of the fete, all the Chateau, from early in the
+morning, was in a violent tumult. Maurice, the Marquis Assistant, and
+Jean Perliez were busy to the point of distraction; fortunately for
+Maurice, who had been unable to sleep and had called Jean at six to
+share the secret which had not been confided to him. He could not
+think of telling Genevieve, and Jean should be able to help keep
+watch.
+
+"You try," he directed, "to watch Montagnac; I shall not leave the
+diplomat."
+
+The Duke came in search of Maurice to ask for Esperance. He looked a
+little pale but showed much interest in the fete.
+
+"Our dear Duchess must be rewarded for all the excitement we have
+caused her house."
+
+"There is no reason to suppose," said Maurice, "that all the
+excitement will cease after the fete!"
+
+The Duke would not show that he had understood. Maurice went to smoke
+a cigarette in the garden and was hardly surprised to see the doctor,
+who had been attached to the service of the Duchess for twenty years,
+and attended all the guests in the Chateau, talking animatedly with
+the diplomat. The doctor raised his arms in a horrified gesture,
+letting them fall again tragically. He gave every evidence of a
+violent struggle with himself. The diplomat remained calm, determined,
+and even authoritative. The poor doctor finally yielded. The diplomat
+shook his hand and left him.
+
+The doctor with an expression of great distress, walking feebly,
+passed by Maurice, who would have stopped him.
+
+"No, no. What? It is impossible.... You are not ill.... Leave me, dear
+sir.... I ... I must..."
+
+He stammered unintelligible phrases, hastening his steps. Maurice
+re-entered the hall. He met the musician Xavier Flamand, who said,
+"I just saw the Count Styvens go out."
+
+"At this hour?" exclaimed Montagnac, looking at the Duke.
+
+"He has gone to meet his mother at the station. She arrives at eight
+o'clock. It is only seven, he will arrive half an hour too soon."
+
+"He is a dutiful son," said Montagnac. "I am surprised that he has not
+taken his fiancee."
+
+Maurice raised his head. "Then the Marquis knows nothing!" he said to
+himself.
+
+He reflected, "How dense I am growing. Evidently neither the Duke nor
+Albert has told anyone the motive of their quarrel."
+
+Jean came up and cut short his monologue.
+
+"I think that the two other seconds are Count Alfred Montagnac, the
+Marquis's brother, and Captain Frederic Chevalier. Here they come
+now."
+
+Indeed the three seconds had just come up to the Marquis, who asked
+Maurice to excuse him. "I will be back in a few moments, dear M.
+Renaud."
+
+The Duke dropped down by Maurice.
+
+"I believe the fete will be a great success, but I wonder if you long
+to have it over as heartily as I do."
+
+"I regret," replied Maurice, "that our hostess ever thought of it, and
+that we ever had anything to do with it."
+
+"Would you also regret having me for your cousin?"
+
+"No, you know very well that I would not, but...."
+
+"But?"
+
+"I know...."
+
+"You know?"
+
+"Yes, I know."
+
+"Who has told you?"
+
+The Duke's face grew stern.
+
+"No one, I give you my word, but I have guessed; it was not very
+difficult...."
+
+"Then, my dear Maurice, I must ask you to remain absolutely silent.
+None of our seconds know the real reason of our meeting. None of them
+will ever know. This duel will be to the death, by the wish of Count
+Styvens, who has found himself justifiably offended."
+
+"Where will you meet?"
+
+"At the Inn of the 'Three Roads.'"
+
+"When?"
+
+"To-morrow, immediately after the fete. The Inn has been closed since
+this morning so as to receive no one except ourselves and our
+witnesses. Now, my dear Maurice, since you know, I want to ask you a
+favour. Here are some papers that I wrote last night. I am afraid my
+servant is on intimate terms with Mme. de Morgueil's English maid, and
+I dare not leave them in my room. I put them in your care. If luck is
+against me you will give these to the proper persons. If Count Albert
+is unfortunate, you will give me back the envelope. I'll see you
+later!"
+
+He pressed the young man's hand in a close grasp.
+
+The Duke de Castel-Montjoie, the Dowager's only son, had been chosen
+by the seconds as umpire. De Morlay and Styvens approved the choice.
+
+The great hall had been invaded by a score of servants who arranged
+the chairs, placed the palms, and hung silver chains to separate the
+musicians from the audience. The curtain of the little stage was
+lowered, but a murmur could be heard through the pretty drop painted
+by Maurice. Among the servants set to finish the costumes was the
+Duke's sly goddaughter. Every time the Duke passed she gazed at him
+and her lips trembled. She who was usually so pert and smiling worked
+with set lips.
+
+"Ha, ha!" said one of the maids, "you must be in love, eh, Jeanette?"
+
+"Let me alone, stupid, to do my work," said the young girl with tears
+in her eyes.
+
+She had been waked the night before by the noise of opening doors, she
+had got up and seen her godfather talking to her father. The Duke
+said, "You must close your Inn early as possible, you must refuse
+everybody, except the Doctor from the Chateau, Count Styvens and four
+gentlemen with the Duke of Castel-Montjoie. I shall probably get here
+first."
+
+"Ah! my God," the Innkeeper had murmured, "the Duke is going to fight,
+I know that.... If only nothing happens to you, sir."
+
+"I need not say that I count on your discretion as on your devotion.
+Have your best bedroom ready to receive one or the other of the
+adversaries and put yourself at the absolute command of the Duke de
+Castel-Montjoie. _Au revoir_. Try not to let your daughter know
+anything about this, and say nothing to her; but I know that even if
+she discovered she would not give us away. _Au revoir_!"
+
+As soon as the door closed Jeanette ran to her father, bare-footed,
+her hair flying, just as she had jumped out of bed.
+
+"Great Heavens!" said the Innkeeper, "you were listening."
+
+"Yes, I was listening, I heard; I will prepare the room, but it shall
+be for the other!"
+
+"Do you know who the other is?"
+
+"No," she said quickly.
+
+"Do you know why they are fighting?"
+
+"How should I know?" she demanded.
+
+She did know, however. However she sat mute under the gibes of the
+other servants.
+
+Albert had returned with his mother, who seemed gayer, happier than
+usual. Esperance went at once to speak to her and was enthusiastically
+congratulated on her superb bearing.
+
+The Countess kissed Esperance whose eyes were filling with tears, and
+she kissed the Countess's hands with so much emotion that the lady
+raised the blonde head, saying tenderly, "No, no, you must not cry! We
+must love each other joyfully. I have never seen my son so happy, I
+should be jealous if I loved him less. See, dear, I want to give you
+these jewels myself; I believe that they are going to suit you very
+well."
+
+She clasped a magnificent collar of pearls around the young girl's
+neck. Esperance could not refuse them. She thanked the lovely lady
+affectionately.
+
+"My father will tell me what to do," she thought.
+
+Lunch was an hour earlier as the fete was to begin at half-past two.
+"Heavens," said Mme. Styvens with perturbation, "I shall never be
+ready."
+
+Esperance left her, happy to escape from her torturing thoughts.
+"Deceit, deceit to this good woman!" Albert was waiting to lead her
+back. He admired his mother's gift, and spoke to her gently.
+
+"It is just the tint of your skin," he said, "that gives these pearls
+their beautiful lustre. They ought not to flatter themselves that it
+is they who embellish you!"
+
+All this was added anguish for the girl, his mother's kindness,
+Albert's gay confidence, and this fete which was, soon to begin, this
+fete where she must show herself publicly with him whom she loved so
+that she would die for him, with him who loved her more than life! She
+repulsed with horror the ideas that came crowding into her brain. If
+the Chateau should burn. If she should fall down the staircase and
+break a leg; if Albert should be taken ill and die within the hour....
+If ... if ... and a million visions raced through her brain as she went
+back to the Tower of Saint Genevieve. But never once did the Duke
+appear as a victim of any of these misfortunes which her brain was
+conjecturing up so busily.
+
+Lunch was a bit disorganized. The Duke avoided looking at Esperance.
+The sight of that child who loved him filled him with such emotion
+that he was afraid of betraying himself. The Countess de Morgueil,
+annoyed at seeing the two men she had sought to embroil talking
+together in the most courteous fashion, started to sharpen her claws
+once more.
+
+"What a beautiful collar, Mlle. Darbois; this is the first time that
+you have worn it, isn't it? Count, I compliment you!"
+
+"Mme. Styvens has just given it to me." The Duke understood the
+embarrassment the child felt--not yet eighteen, and forced to
+extricate herself from nets set by such expert hands as best she
+could.
+
+At half-past two the great hall was crowded by women vying with each
+other in their beauty. It was a magnificent sight! Xavier Flamand went
+to his stand to conduct the orchestra.
+
+He was heartily applauded and the spectacle commenced. More than two
+thousand people had come together for the fete. The hall could only
+accommodate eight hundred. Other chairs had been placed on the
+terrace. The tableaux began. The society assembled, appreciated a form
+of art which is pleasing and not fatiguing, which charms without
+disturbing.
+
+The tableau of Andromeda was frantically applauded. The men could not
+admire enough the suppleness of Esperance's lovely body, the whiteness
+of her bare feet with their pink arches, the gold of her hair floating
+like a nimbus around the head of Andromeda, waved by the breeze as the
+stage turned. The women admired the Duke, so very beautiful in his
+gold and silver armour.
+
+"How splendid the Duke is," remarked the Countess to Albert. "No one
+could have a prouder bearing. If I were in your place, my son, I
+should be jealous."
+
+"Perhaps I am," said the Count, smiling.
+
+The "Judgment of Paris" had the same success. Everyone waited for
+"Europa," and many were really disappointed. A hundred reasons were
+given for its withdrawal, and none of them the true one.
+
+The philosopher and his wife were sitting with Genevieve behind the
+Styvens. Sometimes the Countess would turn around to compliment
+Francois, and the unfortunate man, so frank, whose whole life had
+never known deceit, suffered cruelly. There was an intermission to set
+the stage for the concert. The guests pressed around the Styvens's to
+express their admiration for Esperance, in the most dithyrambic, the
+most superlative terms. The concert began. Albert had to go upon the
+stage to play the Liszt duet with Esperance. He begged Francois
+Darbois to take his place beside his mother.
+
+When the curtain went up after the quartette of "Rigoletto," Esperance
+and Albert were seated on the long piano stool. Loud applause greeted
+them. The Duke was talking to Maurice in the wings and seemed a little
+nervous. He envied Albert at that moment for his superiority as a
+musician. When they finished, a great tumult demanded an encore, but
+Esperance had come to the end of her strength.
+
+As the public continued to applaud, Maurice and the Duke came forward
+to see why they did not raise the curtain. Esperance looked at the
+Duke.
+
+"Oh! no, please do not raise the curtain; my heart is beating so
+fast."
+
+Albert and the Duke supported her gently and she leaned upon them, her
+pretty head bending towards the Duke.
+
+"I feel confused."
+
+And she closed her eyes, afraid of giving herself away. Once more in
+the air and she began to feel better. She breathed the little flask of
+ether that the Doctor held under her nose.
+
+"This poor heart is always making scenes. Ah! dear Count, you will
+have to set that in order."
+
+The Duke had moved away. Annoyed by the insistence of the public, he
+told Jean Perliez to announce that Mlle. Darbois needed a little rest,
+and presented her compliments to the audience and excused herself from
+replying to the encoring. This was a real disappointment. There had
+been such enthusiasm for the two fiances, an enthusiasm well-earned by
+the inspired execution of "Orpheus," that the attitude of this elite
+audience was a little indifferent to the artists who concluded the
+concert. The hall was half empty and several artists were too offended
+to appear.
+
+Esperance went to her room with her mother and Genevieve, begging the
+Count to return to his mother.
+
+"Your mother will be anxious, and my father can not reassure her,
+because he does not himself know the symptoms of this slight illness.
+Tell them that I will rest for a quarter of an hour and then join you
+at my flower booth."
+
+When she was left alone with Genevieve she drew her friend to her.
+
+"My dear little sister, I cannot tell you the joy that pervades every
+part of my being. In an hour it will be over! My father will talk with
+Albert and I shall be free! free!"
+
+"Poor boy," sighed Genevieve.
+
+"Oh! yes, I am ungrateful to his great devotion, but I should be false
+to myself and to you, Genevieve, if I told you that the idea of his
+despair greatly troubles me. I know that every one about me regrets
+the breaking off of this marriage, and still I don't care. You all
+admire the Duke, but you blame him a little. I know that, but that is
+all submerged and forgotten in my great love. When I reason as I do
+now, I recognize at once the horrible storm I am causing, and yet I
+cannot feel sad. I find all sorts of excuses for myself, and cast back
+all the responsibility on Fate."
+
+She was silent an instant.
+
+"Do you think it will take vengeance?"
+
+Mlle. Frahender came in.
+
+"What will take vengeance?"
+
+"Fate."
+
+"My dear child, what is called Fate is simply the law of God."
+
+"Then if God is just he will not avenge himself, for what has happened
+is not my fault."
+
+The old lady looked at the young girl very tenderly.
+
+"My dear child, do not get into the habit of throwing the
+responsibility of your actions upon others. Certainly we are not
+responsible for events, but we can almost always choose the way to
+meet them. Only, some flatter their passions and refuse to assert
+themselves against them! This weakness opens the door to all other
+concessions, and then it becomes difficult to make a loyal examination
+of our conscience."
+
+"Is that my case?" asked the young girl with some anxiety.
+
+"Perhaps," replied Mlle. Frahender, frankly.
+
+"Oh! little lady, be kinder to me, I am so happy that I cannot believe
+such happiness comes from troubled waters.... And I swear to you that
+my heart is loyal."
+
+The old lady kissed her charge, but her smile was sad. Esperance was
+now ready to go to her flower stall. A pretty dress, toned like a
+pigeon's breast, a round neck with a tulle collar, a wide girdle
+fastened with a bunch of primroses, a flapping hat of Italian straw
+tied with two narrow ribbons under her chin, created a delightful
+effect and a ravishing frame for her lovely face. When she passed
+lightly on her way to her booth, she caused quite a sensation. The
+Duke, Count Albert, Maurice and Jean Perliez were waiting for her. A
+crowd followed in her wake.
+
+The Duke and Count had the same longing to see her, to be with her up
+to the last moment! They understood each other at that instant, and
+each outdid the other in courtesy. Albert was the first customer,
+passing a thousand francs for a primrose from her belt. The Duke made
+the same bargain. The girl's fingers trembled as she handed him the
+flower. Albert felt a choking feeling in his throat. The crowd pressed
+round. A German offered ten thousand francs for a flower which the
+young girl had put to her lips. At last Albert could work off some of
+his emotion. He repulsed the German.
+
+"There is nothing more for sale, sir. I have just bought everything
+for fifty thousand francs."
+
+The German would have protested, but he was pushed back by the crowd
+and landed at a distance.
+
+"That was well done!"
+
+"I did not know that he could be so impulsive."
+
+"He was quite right."
+
+"The poor people of the Duchess will become landholders!"
+
+And the crowd scattered, making many comments on the way. Albert was
+soon surrounded, as everybody wanted to shake hands with him. The Duke
+had stepped back behind the booth. Esperance came out with Genevieve
+and Mlle. Frahender. He stopped beside her a moment.
+
+"I love you."
+
+"Oh, thank you."
+
+"Forever, I hope!"
+
+Then, as he saw that the Count was still surrounded and that Esperance
+would not be able to make her way to him, he offered her his arm.
+
+"Let me take you to Count Styvens, who cannot extricate himself!"
+
+With the help of Jean and Maurice, he dispersed the guests and led
+Esperance to her fiancee. At that moment anyone who had suspected the
+Duke of intentions to flirt with the plighted girl, must have
+abandoned their idea; and the motive of the duel, which was to bring
+one of these two perfect gentlemen to his death, became more and more
+obscure.
+
+Count Styvens saw the girl coming to him on the Duke's arm, and he did
+not suffer from the sight; his suffering for the last two days had
+been too extreme to feel upset by any increase. He took Esperance to
+the door of the Tower.
+
+"You were lovelier than ever before."
+
+He kissed her fingers devotedly. The young girl felt a tiny tear fall
+like a terrible weight on her hand. He lifted his head quickly, looked
+fixedly at Esperance with a look of such goodness and faith, that she
+felt suddenly guilty and bent her head. The Count shook hands
+cordially with the philosopher.
+
+"Do not forget," the elder man said to him, "that I want to have a
+little talk with you; it is more than a wish, it is a duty."
+
+"I also have a serious duty to attend to," replied the young Count.
+"Excuse me if I have to keep you waiting."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+
+Albert went immediately to his mother, who was taking tea with the
+Princess. He embraced her with such tenderness that she was astonished
+at his ardour. The Princess held out her hand.
+
+"Do not wait too long to realize your happiness, Albert. You know how
+all your friends will rejoice with you."
+
+He kissed her hand again, and went to join his two seconds at the gate
+of the kitchen garden.
+
+The crowd had all dispersed to catch the last train.
+
+The meeting at the "Three Roads" was for seven. They saw the Duke de
+Castel-Montjoie from a distance. He had had some difficulty in making
+his escape, having had to help his mother, the Duchess, with the last
+farewells. He bowed to the Count and led the way by a little door to
+the inn stable. He was carrying two sets of swords, done up in two
+cases of green cloth.
+
+The Duke and his seconds were already there. Only the Doctor had not
+arrived. Morlay-La-Branche and Albert bowed to each other and got
+ready.
+
+The little bowers, where the _habitues_ of the inn often ate
+their midday meals, served them as dressing-rooms. The Doctor arrived
+out of breath, with the information that he had not been able to get a
+_confrere_ and would have to serve both sides. The umpire, in
+company with the seconds, chose an alley of proper dimensions.
+
+The adversaries were placed opposite, sword in hand. The Duke de
+Castel-Montjoie touched the points of their swords and said, "Go!"
+
+The conditions of the duel were very strict. The first round should
+last three minutes, should neither of the adversaries be touched.
+
+"Halt!" cried the Duke de Castel-Montjoie.
+
+One minute was allowed them to breathe.
+
+"Go," said the umpire, again joining the sword tips.
+
+This time Albert made a furious drive against the Duke. There was a
+moment of suspense. The Duke did not give way. His arm shot out and
+the unfortunate Count turned completely round and fell. Charles de
+Morlay's sword had pierced beneath the right arm pit, entering the
+lung. The blood streamed from the wounded man's mouth. The Doctor and
+the seconds carried him into the room which Jeanette had prepared. The
+Duke, sorely moved, followed them. Albert saw him and held out a hand
+which the Duke pressed gently, bending his head. The Count signed to
+the seconds to withdraw.
+
+"I was wrong, Duke," he murmured. "My love had blinded my wisdom with
+the heavy mask of egoism. On the threshold of eternity the truth seems
+clearer. Forgive me, De Morlay, as I forgive you."
+
+He choked. The Doctor came forward. The Duke, as pale as the dying
+man, pressed that loyal hand for the last time, and withdrew.
+
+In her own room Esperance had just waked with an anguished cry.
+
+"What is the matter with you?"
+
+"I ... I ... I do not know ... a catastrophe ... where is my father?"
+
+"In his room, and...."
+
+At that very moment Maurice knocked at the door, and before they had
+time to answer him, he entered. His face was distorted with grief.
+
+"A catastrophe, a catastrophe!" repeated Esperance, at sight of him.
+
+"Get up, put on a wrap, put something on your head, and come, come
+quickly! A carriage is waiting for us!"
+
+"A catastrophe, a catastrophe! Albert? the Duke?..."
+
+"Albert!" he answered brusquely. "Come quickly! He wants to see you
+before...."
+
+The words died in his throat.
+
+He helped his cousin and led her rapidly to the carriage. Esperance
+was gasping with anguish.
+
+"Tell me, Maurice, tell me."
+
+But the young man could not answer. He knew only that Albert was
+mortally wounded. He had been waiting a few paces from the Inn to
+see the duellers come out. The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche and
+Castel-Montjoie appeared first, and as they were talking to the
+young man, the Marquis de Montagnac came out precipitately.
+
+"I beg you," he said to Maurice, "to fetch the Count's fiancee. He
+wants to see her before his mother knows."
+
+And Maurice had departed in hot haste.
+
+As soon as they reached the Inn, Esperance jumped to the ground.
+Jeanette, who had kept a constant watch, ran along ahead of her and
+without a word showed her the door of the room where Count Albert lay
+dying. The Doctor stopped her.
+
+"Very gently," he said.
+
+But Albert had felt the presence of his dearly loved. He raised
+himself a little, holding out his great arms to the young girl.
+
+"Come to me, my love, do not be afraid. I will never hold you again in
+these arms that frighten you. Listen carefully. I have only a few
+minutes to live! No one knows the real reason of my quarrel with the
+Duke.... You may have thought that it was about you. I swear to you,"
+he laid stress on the word, "I swear to you that it was nothing to do
+with you!"
+
+His glazing eyes cleared for an instant, illuminated by the beauty of
+his falsehood.
+
+"Marry the Duke, he is charming ... he ... he is loyal ... but do not
+abandon my mother; she will have only you!"
+
+Two red streams trickled from the corners of his mouth. Esperance on
+her knees with her hands crossed on the bed, watched the blood run
+down on the face that had grown paler than the pillow. Her tears
+blinded her, and she shook as with an ague. Albert ceased breathing
+for an instant. The Doctor, who was watching closely from the end of
+the room, came near and gave him a dose of chlorate of calcium to stop
+the hemorrhage; then at a sign from Albert, withdrew again.
+
+"Promise me," said the young man, "that you will always keep this
+necklace!"
+
+"Albert, don't die! I will love you! I do love you! Have pity! I will
+always wear the necklace. You shall unfasten it every evening and
+clasp it every morning! Do not die! Do not die! I am your fiancee,
+to-morrow I will be your wife! You must life for your mother, for me!"
+
+The door opened and the Countess, suddenly awakened, entered with the
+Baron van Berger and the Duke de Castel-Montjoie.
+
+"Mother, dear mother, forgive me.... I leave you Esperance, who will
+take my place with you. Forgive the Duke de Morlay the pain he has
+caused you. Our quarrel was so deep, we could only settle it by arms.
+It was I, I, who precipitated matters. The Duke acted like an
+honourable gentleman. Oh! do not weep, mother, do not weep!"
+
+He raised his hand painfully to wipe with trembling fingers the tears
+burning the beautiful eyes that had already wept so much.
+
+The Chaplain from the Chateau entered the room, bearing the Holy
+Sacrament. He was accompanied by the Dowager Duchess, the Prince and
+Princess of Bernecourt. A solemn hush quieted the sobs of the two
+women. The priest bent over the couch of the dying man. The Count
+summoned all his strength to receive the extreme unction, then,
+transfigured by his faith, he sat up, extending his arms. The two
+women threw themselves trembling into the open arms, which closed upon
+them in the last struggle of life. They remained there, imprisoned,
+not knowing that the soul had fled.
+
+A terrible cry shook these souls sunk down in grief. Esperance
+shrieked, "These arms, these arms, loosen these arms which are
+strangling me ... Deliver me, deliver me from these arms ... I am
+choking...."
+
+They had some difficulty in freeing her. Her pupils dilated by terror,
+she was hardly able to breathe. The Doctor did not disguise his
+anxiety.
+
+"Save her, Doctor," said the Countess Styvens, "save my daughter. My
+son is now with God; he sees me, he waits for me, but I must obey his
+last wish."
+
+They carried Esperance away unconscious, without tears, without
+movement, almost without life. Francois, who had just arrived with his
+wife, learned of the frightful tragedy and received in his arms the
+poor unconscious cause of the drama. Mme. Darbois did not wish to
+leave her daughter, but the philosopher insisted, until she could not
+refuse, that she should go back to the Countess Styvens.
+
+When the professor arrived at the Chateau he found the Duke de Morlay
+at the gate waiting for tidings. At sight of Esperance unconscious,
+her head fallen back on her father's breast, he jumped on the step of
+the victoria.
+
+"What more has happened?" he asked panting.
+
+"The Doctor will be here in a few minutes. He will tell you...."
+
+The carriage drove on to the Tower of Saint Genevieve. The Duke took
+the poor figure in his arms and carried her up to her room, followed
+by Francois Darbois, broken by sorrow. Genevieve was waiting
+feverishly for the return of Maurice and Esperance. She showed the
+Duke where to lay Esperance. He stretched the slender creature on her
+bed. Her eyes were open, but she recognized no one. The rigidity of
+her expression frightened the Duke, and he bent in terror to listen to
+her breathing. A faint burning breath touched his face.
+
+The Doctor declared that he could give no decision at that moment, and
+ordered them to leave her to sleep.
+
+"She must not be left for a second," he said. "Two people must watch
+so that she need never be left alone."
+
+The Duke kissed the limp little hand, and recoiled--his lips touched
+her engagement ring. As he went out he met the Countess Styvens and
+hardly recognized her, so terribly was she changed. She stopped him.
+
+"Do not leave. I know from my son that it was he who provoked you. The
+cause of your duel is a secret that I shall never seek to know. May
+God pardon my son and free you from all remorse. I go to my daughter,
+all I have left to love and protect."
+
+It was evident that the noble woman was making a great effort; the
+last words of her son were still ringing in her brain.
+
+De Morlay knelt and watched the Countess disappear into the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+
+The Doctor declared that evening that Esperance had congestion of the
+brain, and that specialists who were sent for from Paris confirmed the
+diagnosis. The Dowager would not hear of having her taken away. The
+Tower of Saint Genevieve was put entirely at the Darbois's disposal.
+Twos sister were sent for, and Jeanette volunteered to do the heavy
+work. All the other servants were forbidden to approach the Tower.
+
+The Countess Styvens, accompanied by the Duke de Castel-Montjoie, the
+Prince and Princess de Bernecourt, and the Baron van Berger, had taken
+the body of her son to be buried in the great family mausoleum which
+she had raised to the memory of her husband at her country place of
+Lacken.
+
+Maurice and Genevieve were greatly relieved when they learned that the
+Countess had not remained. In her crises of delirium Esperance talked
+and talked....
+
+"Albert, no, no, I do not love him ... I love the Duke.... Yes, he
+saved my life, but my father is going to tell him.... I cannot keep
+this collar.... It is cold, cold, it strangles me, I am stifling.... I
+am going to die.... Yes, Albert, you shall clasp the chain every
+morning ... and every evening.... No, my head is not too low, I can see
+the beauty of Perseus better. He is coming?... He is coming to cut off
+the long arms that hold me.... The blood, there, the blood running
+slowly!... No, Albert, do not die, I will love you, the Duke will
+go!..."
+
+In spite of her trusting confidence, the poor mother must have come to
+wonder and perhaps to understand.
+
+When Esperance regained consciousness the worst danger was over. Only
+Genevieve and Mlle. Frahender had heard the complete revelation.
+
+Jeanette knew too, but Genevieve, who understood that she was there to
+keep the Duke informed, found her very docile and repentant and did
+not send her away. The Countess, to whom they had sent a daily
+bulletin for three weeks, found that Esperance, if not cured, was at
+least on the way to convalescence. She would still pass many hours
+when she failed to recognize people. A kind of coma took possession of
+her every now and then and kept her for days together in a kind of
+lethargy.
+
+The season was getting late, and all the house guests had left. The
+Dowager Duchess did not wish to return to Paris, although her son, who
+had become a deputy as she wished, invited her to come and stay with
+him. The Prince de Bernecourt had had to once more take up his post,
+but his wife had stayed to keep her friend company, and because she
+loved the "little Darbois," as she called her. The Duke de Morlay was
+visiting friends whose Chateau was about an hour's journey away. He
+came every day for news from the Duchess, and from his goddaughter
+Jeanette.
+
+A month went by. The young girl, now convalescent, was strong enough
+to be moved.
+
+"We will take her to Penhouet for a month," said Francois Darbois's
+note to the Countess, "and when she is quite cured we will send her to
+you in Brussels."
+
+The Duke was in despair at the idea of hearing that Esperance was to
+go away. He complained to Maurice whom he saw every day, "Can I not
+see Esperance?"
+
+"Yes, but only for a few seconds," said the young painter. "I believe
+that you will have to wait several months before you can renew your
+love. She is convalescent, but not cured. Here is a proposal for you:
+I am going to marry Mlle. Hardouin in two months. Come to our wedding.
+Your presence will seem quite natural, for you have treated me as a
+friend. I am very much attached to you and I am sure that my cousin
+will be very happy with you when you are married."
+
+"But will she be well in two months?"
+
+"The Doctor assures us that she will be quite herself, and it is by
+his advice that we have set that date for our marriage."
+
+"Do you think Mlle. Hardouin would accept me as a witness?"
+
+She will be delighted, and I thank you. Genevieve has no relations
+except her elder sister, who brought her up."
+
+"I hope that this marriage will recall Esperance's promise to her.
+Meantime I shall go to Italy for about the two months. Will you see if
+I may say good-bye to her?"
+
+"I will go now."
+
+He was soon back again.
+
+"My cousin expects you."
+
+It was more than a month since the Duke had seen Esperance. He was
+painfully shocked by the change in her pretty face. She looked hardly
+real. Her eyes were enormous. Genevieve and Mlle. Frahender were with
+her.
+
+"Here is the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche who has come to say good-bye to
+you."
+
+Esperance turned her eyes towards the Duke.
+
+"It is a long time since I have seen you," she said simply.
+
+And her voice sounded like the tone of a distant harp.
+
+"You have been very ill!"
+
+"I have been very ill, I believe, but I cannot remember very well. I
+feel as if I had had heavy blows in my brain; sometimes I hear
+dreadful calls and then everything is quiet again. And then sometimes
+I see a piece of a picture, no beginning, no end, sometimes horrible,
+sometimes lovely. Why, now I remember," she spoke gently with a
+charming smile, "that you are part of all my visions, but I do not
+know any more how, or why.... And Albert, where is he? Why does he not
+come? He must come and undo the collar.... Ah! my God, my God, I am
+wandering you see, nothing is clear yet."
+
+She raised her arms.
+
+"My God, my God, have pity on me or take me at once. I do not want to
+lose my mind!"
+
+She took the Duke's hand.
+
+"Say you are not sorry that you loved me?"
+
+"I love you always!"
+
+She clapped her hands with a silvery laugh, "Genevieve, Genevieve, he
+loves me still."
+
+And she hid her head on the young girl's arm. Maurice led the Duke
+away, overcome. He looked questioningly at the painter.
+
+"No, she will not be light-headed long, the Doctors all agree about
+that, but her memory will have to come back by degrees a little at a
+time. She recognized you. She remembered her love and yours. That is a
+great step. Her youth, her love, and time will be, I believe, certain
+restorers."
+
+The Duke left soon after they had taken Esperance away.
+
+In Belgium the Countess had prepared for her beloved daughter. This
+beautiful woman of forty, so charming, so handsome in her mauve
+mourning, had already become an old woman whose movements were ever
+slow and sad. Her back was bent, from constantly kneeling beside her
+son's grave. Her black clothes reflected the deeper gloom of her
+expression. And to those who had seen her a few months before, she was
+almost unrecognizable.
+
+Poor little Esperance regained her health very slowly. Her mind seemed
+entirely clear only on one subject, the theatre. Little by little she
+remembered everything connected with her art. She repeated with
+Genevieve and Jean Perliez the scenes they had given at the
+Competition. She worked hard on Musset's _On ne badine pas avec
+l'amour_; then busied herself with preparations for her friend's
+marriage. She did not know that the Duke was to be a witness.
+
+"But," she would often object, "you must have two witnesses, and you
+have only one."
+
+"I have two," said Genevieve, "but you must guess the name of the
+second."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+
+The wedding, solemnized in the little church of Sauzen, at
+Belle-Isle-en-Mer, was very private. Maurice had for witnesses
+his uncle, Francois Darbois, and the Marquis de Montagnac, with
+whom he had become great friends. Doctor Potain and the Duke de
+Morlay-La-Branche were witnesses for Genevieve. The Dowager Duchess
+and the Princess de Bernecourt were present. The Countess Styvens
+had been ill for a month and could not leave Brussels. She sent a
+magnificent present of diamonds and pearls to Genevieve, who was
+filled with joy. The Duchess gave the young bride a splendid silver
+service, and the Princess brought with her some beautiful lace.
+Genevieve had attached herself very strongly to the first of these
+sweet women, and Maurice had made a conquest of the Princess by
+painting her an admirable portrait.
+
+The sight of the Duke made the invalid exuberant with joy. She
+constantly forgot her duties as maid of honour to draw near the loved
+being.
+
+Doctor Potain watched her closely, and made a thorough examination. He
+knew nothing of her love for the Duke, but when the latter questioned
+him about her health, he said, "There is only one chance of restoring
+her health. She must go back on the stage."
+
+The Duke jumped. "Impossible!" he said.
+
+"Why impossible? Her fiance is dead."
+
+The Duke spoke to the man of science. "Listen to me, Doctor, I am
+passionately in love with this girl who loved me, but only remembers
+that at intervals.... I cannot, indeed...."
+
+"Approve of her going on the stage? Urge her yourself, and you will
+save her. When she is cured if she loves you, as you believe, she will
+leave everything to follow you; but now neurasthenia or madness await
+her. She must be roused to work outside herself. Do as I tell you and
+you will invite me to your wedding."
+
+The Duke went straight to find Francois Darbois. Maurice would have
+retired. "No," said the Duke to him, "I want you to stay," and he told
+them word for word what the Doctor had said.
+
+"Well, what do you think?" Francois Darbois asked him.
+
+"I think that the most important thing in all the world is to save
+her! I will wait...."
+
+Francois pressed his hand, and there was taken between these two men,
+who were so different in every way, a silent pledge that both were
+determined to keep at all costs.
+
+From that instant each one strained every nerve to revive in Esperance
+her dearest desire.
+
+Several days after this visit, Esperance received a letter from the
+Comedie-Francaise, asking her to come to the office. She turned pink.
+Her lovely forehead brightened for the first time in many months. She
+handed the letter to her father, who knew what it contained, and had
+been watching his child's surprise very closely.
+
+"We must go back to Paris, father, I feel entirely well."
+
+"Good, Mademoiselle, we will obey your orders," he said tenderly.
+
+She kissed her father as she used to do, and began to tease him a
+little.
+
+"How nice it is to have such an agreeable papa! You have plenty of
+cause to be severe, for I give you endless trouble."
+
+"So you are to make your debut at the Comedie-Francaise?"
+
+"My God!" said the young girl, starting up, "that might cost you your
+election!"
+
+Francois Darbois began to laugh, for his joy returned to him when his
+daughter's memory came back to her.
+
+"Leave my election alone. They won't even nominate me, and I shall not
+worry."
+
+Mme. Darbois came in and Francois pretended to disclose the news to
+her. She assumed surprise. To hide her emotion, she took her daughter
+in a long embrace.
+
+Maurice had taken his young wife to Italy, to show her in its most
+harmonious setting the most beautiful aspirations of art towards the
+ideal. The Duke de Morlay travelled there with them, adoring Italy as
+does every devotee of art. There was not a corner of this rare country
+that he did not know.
+
+The sojourn of the young couple in Italy was pure enchantment. Maurice
+was constantly surprised by the intellectual strength of his
+companion. Like most artists he had an indulgent scorn for what so
+many call and think the worldly class. When he originally met the Duke
+he had recognized his cultivation, and found that his eclecticism was
+exact, profound, and not the superficial veneer he had at first
+supposed. He realized that men of the world do not vaunt their
+knowledge, though it is often far deeper than that of certain artists
+who never go below the depths of but one art: their own.
+
+Almost every day Maurice received a letter or telegram giving him news
+of his cousin. The advice of Doctor Potain seemed to be justifying
+itself. Every day Esperance began to recover her health and spirits.
+She was rehearsing at the Comedie, and her debut in _On ne badine
+pas avec l'amour_ was announced for the next month.
+
+The travellers had intended to spend another ten days in Italy. But a
+letter to Genevieve alarmed them. She read it aloud.
+
+"My darling, I am just now the happiest girl in the world. First
+because my dear cousin is seeing so many beautiful things that shine
+through her letters and show her so enchanted with life that I feel
+the stimulus myself, and long to live to go myself to breathe the
+divine air of Italy, and admire the masterpieces there. Tell the Duke
+de Morlay that no day passes without my thoughts flying to him. Only
+one thing worries me. I can confide it to you, Genevieve, you who are
+so perfectly happy. Why does the theatre draw me so that I am willing
+to sacrifice for it even those I love? I see the Countess Styvens
+every day. She seems a light ready to flicker out. Sometimes she looks
+at me as if she saw me far, very far away, and murmurs, 'Poor little
+thing, it is not her fault!' Then I shiver. What is not my fault?
+Albert's death. Dear Albert, who frightened me so much sometimes, that
+I felt my teeth chattering! Do you know how he died? Nobody seems to
+know! Genevieve dear, the pearl collar strangles me sometimes. I
+promised not to take it off, but I must take it off to play
+'_Camille_' in Musset's play. Mustn't I? She cannot wear pearls
+at the convent? When I promised that, I did not expect ever to appear
+on the stage any more; but now! Besides, when I am on the stage I am
+not myself at all. Esperance stays behind in the dressing-room and
+'_Camille_' comes forth. Then the collar? Ask the Duke, without
+telling him that I asked you, what I should do. This collar seems to
+me such a heavy chain, so heavy and sometimes so cold. I must stop
+this letter, for you see the confusion is coming back again. I am a
+little frightened! I must be trembling, does it not show in my
+writing? It is little Mademoiselle's pen. I embrace you with all the
+strength of my joy in your happiness.--Esperance."
+
+The writing changed.
+
+"I must make Esperance stop. She has been wandering again as she
+writes. Her pulse is very quick. I must tell her father. _Au
+revoir,_ dear girl, and come back soon; for you are the brightness
+and peace she longs for. My regards to your husband.--Eleanore
+Frahender."
+
+This letter made Maurice, his wife and the Duke very anxious.
+
+"She must in some way be prevented from seeing the Countess Styvens,"
+said Genevieve, "but how are we to manage that?"
+
+They decided to shorten their stay in Italy by five days.
+
+Esperance was to appear on the twentieth of December, about fifteen
+days after her letter reached them. All the elegant world of Paris,
+artistic, sensation-hunting, was waiting with delight for the
+appearance of the little heroine, the idol of the public. Count
+Styvens's death in a duel, slain by a well-known admirer of Esperance,
+had caused a great deal of ink to be spilled. But the devotion of the
+Countess towards the girl who would have been her daughter, the
+denials of the witnesses to the most intimate friends, asking if ...
+really ... between ourselves ... was not there something? ... deceived
+the most suspicious. All these "fors" and "againsts" had kindled the
+curiosity of the public, and the general sympathy was strongly in
+favour of the unconscious cause of the great modern mystery. The
+notice, announcing the first appearance of Esperance Darbois in _On
+ne badine pas avec l'amour_ drew an enormous crowd. The house was
+entirely sold out several days in advance. Many who could not get
+admission waited outside the theatre to get news during the intervals.
+The corridors were full of French and foreign reporters.
+
+Behind the scenes Esperance stood looking at herself in the mirror. It
+was almost time for the curtain to go up. Dressed in the convent robe,
+the strings of pearls was still about her neck. Should she unclasp it,
+should she not? If they went with her on the stage would she not be
+betraying her art; would they not clutch and strangle her, strangle
+"_Camille_," until Esperance had to come back in her place? And
+if she cast it aside, her loyalty, her promise? Must she wear fetters
+to keep faith? Oh, Albert, Albert! Oh, these dark shadows, these
+groping dark confusions where she so often strayed. Where was rest? Or
+peace? And joy, the joy of the theatre, would that, too, be taken
+away? She swayed a little and longed with all her strength for a force
+not her own to enter in. She was too weak to fight against her own
+Destiny.
+
+She found it. A hint of it came first in the scent of gardenia
+flowers, sweet and strong and penetrating, compelling and agreeable to
+the senses. Then the Duke's strong arms were about her, and she sank
+gladly back as if she were falling into a flood of light.
+
+But his swift words brought her back.
+
+"Esperance, my darling, we have no time to lose. Come with me. The
+Countess Styvens is dying. She would not send for you, she would not
+spoil your triumph. But she can absolve you. She can loose the pearls.
+You can remember the other request Albert made you then, his dying
+wish, my living one. Come with me, be her daughter to the last, and
+then, my love, to Italy, where we will find you health and strength,
+and give you new life for your future as my wife."
+
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Idol of Paris, by Sarah Bernhardt
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