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Francois 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 attache case on the seat opposite. The Darbois family took their places in another carriage.
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.
"Do you believe that she loves you?" Albert still went on. "I have answered you with perfect frankness concerning myself, but do not ask me to answer for Mlle. Darbois." "Yes; you are right, you cannot answer for her. I know that she does not love me, but I hoped to make her love me. I wanted to make her so happy!... That love has made a different man of me.
When Francois 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-Francaise, and several other guests. Esperance's entrance roused the curiosity of all.
"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 Francois 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."
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 Francois Darbois and received his nod of acquiescence from the depths of the arm-chair where the professor sat clasping his long, fine hands.
He is in love with little Esperance Darbois." "The actress? But she is engaged to Count Styvens." "It is the truth I have told you," replied the valet, proud of his own importance, "and if you will meet me in the grove, during dinner, I will tell you some more." "Thanks, I know enough now," said the maid dryly, leaving him. She disappeared, but Gustave preened himself, certain of success.
But tell us how did you contrive to hear her?" demanded the Princess. "I study with her father, Francois 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."
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.
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."
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