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Updated: June 8, 2025
"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.
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.
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.
"Would it be impertinence if I asked you to let me see it?" she said with a smile. "I thank you, Madame; you flatter me by your request." The Dowager Duchess, with whom the Princess had been spending three weeks at her Chateau of Castel-Montjoie, was now presented to Mme. Darbois. She was a lovable and delightful old lady, with a great appreciation of art and science.
We must be patient!" At last the day arrived! Never had the young girl been more charming. Francois Darbois had been working arduously on the correction of a book he was about to publish, when he saw her coming into his library. He turned towards her and, regarding her there in the doorway, seemed to see the archangel of victory such radiance emanated from this frail little body.
All these "fors" and "againsts" had kindled the curiosity of the public, and the general sympathy was strongly in favour of the unconscious cause of the great modern mystery. The notice, announcing the first appearance of Esperance Darbois in On ne badine pas avec l'amour drew an enormous crowd. The house was entirely sold out several days in advance.
"What more has happened?" he asked panting. "The Doctor will be here in a few minutes. He will tell you...." The carriage drove on to the Tower of Saint Genevieve. The Duke took the poor figure in his arms and carried her up to her room, followed by Francois Darbois, broken by sorrow. Genevieve was waiting feverishly for the return of Maurice and Esperance.
When the girls came into the hall, the Duke was talking to Maurice, and the Doctor to Francois Darbois. The gentlemen had not heard the door open, but intuitively the Duke turned around. Esperance met his burning eyes which were veiled by an expression that suggested repentant submission.
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.
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.
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