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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 CHÂTEAU
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 François 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 François 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 François
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 François 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 François 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?"
François 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, François, 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. François 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!"
François 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. François 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."
François 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
rôle 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 rôle 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_. Molière'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 rôle. 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.
François 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-Française.
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 François 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 François 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.
François 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 François 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. François 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."
François 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 rôle 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."
François 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, François 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 François 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 François 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 François 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 rôle 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 protégée, 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. François 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 François 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
_decolletée_ 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 _confrères_.
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 rôle
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-Française 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. François 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? François 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. François 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 François 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-Française 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
François. "The Comedie-Française 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 rôles. 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 rôle.
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 François 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. François 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 Molière 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 attaché 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."
François 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 François,
"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 _coupé_,
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 _maître d'hôtel_ 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 Française." (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 _maître
d'hôtel_, 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. François 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 rôles. 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. François 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 attaché 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.
François 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 François
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. François 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-Française.
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, François 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 attaché 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. François 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 attaché, 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.
François Darbois had a great success; the Catholic party owed him
recognition for his noble dissertation on the rôle 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."
François, 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. François 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 François 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 François 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-Française, 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 François
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-Française, 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 rôle 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 Elysées 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 François'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.
François 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 François 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
Château 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-Française, 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.
François 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 François 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."
François 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
François 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. François
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 François 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. François 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.
François 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. François,
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 attaché 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. François
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 François, 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 François 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 François 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 François 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
François 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
François 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.
François 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 François. 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 François
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 fiancés. 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 fiancée!!!"
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 fiancée 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
fiancée....
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."
"François!" 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."
François 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
François 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!"
François 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 Château 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 fiancé, 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 fiancé 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 fête?" 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 fiancé 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 fête, 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 fête 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 château. 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 fête, 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 fiancé 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
château, 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
fiancée. Ah! what good luck!" she said with a long breath, "What good
luck!"
François 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 fiancée, 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 fête, 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 CHÂTEAU