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Frahender put her to bed. Albert went back to wait for the Doctor. Maurice went in search of Charles de Morlay. He met a forester, who told him that the Duke had gone for a ride in the forest, and had sent word to the Duchess that he might not be back to lunch. Maurice returned disturbed and thoughtful.
"It all seems unbelievable," murmured Francois. And with his head in his hands he groaned despairingly, "How can we sacrifice that noble and unfortunate Albert?" "One of the three must suffer, uncle. It would be a crime to sacrifice Esperance who has the right to love whom she pleases and to choose her own life. The Duke Morlay is loved, Count Albert is not and never has been.
The garden is cut by a long alley which can serve as the field of honour. I will go at once to warn De Montagnac and his brother; then I will go to the 'Three Roads." "Good," said Albert. "Naturally, we leave Maurice Renaud out of our quarrel." "Certainly," said Charles de Morlay bowing. They parted. From a distance the young painter saw the Duke enter the great hall.
Everything seemed like the warring of an implacable destiny. All four felt absolutely impotent. The drive was stimulating. Esperance drew life at every breath. They could watch the colour coming back into her cheeks. As the carriage came out into a clearing, the Duke de Morlay rode wildly by. His horse was covered with sweat and trembling so that he had some difficulty in mastering it.
Hardouin, 'Yes, the presence of the Duke of Morlay disturbs me; I do not know if that is love, but I do know that I do not love Albert. They went on towards the clearing; I was compelled to leave my hiding place. You know the rest. The cry the child gave, and her look of reproach unmanned me.
Six o'clock, that pert little Breton told me, when I found her fumbling in our trunks. When I told her that I was going to complain of her she said, 'Oh! don't do that, Madame, my godfather, the Duke de Morlay, would never forgive me!" The girls looked at each other. "I promise to say nothing, but you must watch her carefully." They were just going in when Maurice joined them, out of breath.
"My dear Uncle, This letter is to be shared by the whole community. I have found a world gone mad in this magnificent chateau. We are twenty-two at table. I have been cordially welcomed by all the strangers, to whom this cursed Duke, delightful fellow, has graciously presented me. I set to work at once to unravel and discover the plans of Charles de Morlay. But more anon.
"Are you making any allusion to Mlle. Darbois?" he asked, stopping abruptly. "I am engaged to Mlle. Darbois, I believe you know, Madame. You are piqued because you love the Duke de Morlay and he seems to be deserting you to hover near my fiancee. Do as I do; have a little patience; to-morrow by this time the fete will be over and I shall have left with Mlle. Darbois.
I am a little tired and my heart is beating so.... What was that?" She put her companion's hand above her heart. "Why what is the matter with you. Why are you so nervous?" "Ah!" replied Esperance, with great apprehension of she knew not what, "I feel as if I could not struggle.... The presence in this house of the Duke de Morlay overcomes me.
Tell the Duke de Morlay that no day passes without my thoughts flying to him. Only one thing worries me. I can confide it to you, Genevieve, you who are so perfectly happy. Why does the theatre draw me so that I am willing to sacrifice for it even those I love? I see the Countess Styvens every day. She seems a light ready to flicker out.
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