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Updated: May 6, 2025
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.
"Let me alone, stupid, to do my work," said the young girl with tears in her eyes. She had been waked the night before by the noise of opening doors, she had got up and seen her godfather talking to her father. The Duke said, "You must close your Inn early as possible, you must refuse everybody, except the Doctor from the Chateau, Count Styvens and four gentlemen with the Duke of Castel-Montjoie.
The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, after conversing for a few minutes to Francois Darbois, whom he had met several weeks before, came up to the young girl as she was standing before the Countess Styvens, replying to the compliments the charming lady was paying her. "I am told that you are quite a clever musician."
I was travelling, and did not learn of the accident to your cousin and Count Styvens until I returned to Paris. Then I wrote for news." "I came back here to my old aunt's, my nearest relative. I wanted to ask her to invite the whole of the Darbois family to spend a month here at Montjoie. A letter from Count Albert, announcing his engagement to Esperance, was a terrible blow to me.
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.
"What a lot of preamble! Well, I am listening." "The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche loves Esperance passionately." "Well, that is a pity for the Duke, but he will console himself easily enough." Maurice was silent before he continued, "Esperance is madly in love with the Duke!" Francois started violently. "You are raving, Maurice; she is engaged to Count Styvens and has no right to forget him."
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