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Every two hours they were relieved by Madame Darbois and Genevieve. As to Maurice, he had made a plot in concert with Esperance and Albert, of offering a portrait of her son to the charming Countess. Baron van Berger played endless games of cards with Francois. The days passed quickly and everyone seemed happy. Esperance's face was as lovely as ever, for every scar had disappeared.
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.
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.
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 us 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.
Genevieve has no relations except her elder sister, who brought her up." "I hope that this marriage will recall Esperance's promise to her. Meantime I shall go to Italy for about the two months. Will you see if I may say good-bye to her?" "I will go now." He was soon back again. "My cousin expects you." It was more than a month since the Duke had seen Esperance.
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."
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.
Her appearance on the miniature stage where the examinations were held caused a little sensation among the professor-judges. "What a heavenly child!" exclaimed Victorien Sardou. "Here is truly the beauty of a noble race," murmured Delaunay, the well-known member of the Comedie-Francaise. The musical purity of Esperance's voice roused the assembly immediately out of its torpor.
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.
He seemed plunged in a reverie that nothing could break. Scarcely did he reply to Espérance's occasional remarks, and when he did so it was with the air of a man whose thoughts are far away. At the broad portico of the magnificent Palazzo Massetti, Espérance, the son of Monte-Cristo bade his friend farewell.
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