Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
After dinner the Baron de Montrieux went to the piano. He was a very fair musician, and all the company were glad to listen to him. Albert followed him. He was really gifted and, if fortune had not otherwise favoured him, he could have made his name as an artist. There was enthusiastic applause. The Count bent before Esperance, who, in a burst of artistic appreciation, expressed her admiration.
Esperance breathed more quietly and rose, thanking the Princess; then suddenly collapsed on her knees, sobbing, without strength, without consciousness, and Madame Darbois was summoned to her side at once. "Oh! great Heaven!" she said. "I have never seen her like this before; usually she controls herself when over-excited by music.
A farm dog at the moment began to bark furiously. Esperance woke quickly, looking pale and worried, with her hands pressed on her frightened heart. She saw the telegram and opened it quickly. "Albert will be here this evening by the second boat. What time is it?" She showed a little emotion, but only a little, though she felt deeply. She looked towards the sun. "It can't be four yet."
While the crowd, who had by no means recovered from their agitation, complimented her on her courage, Jane moved slowly from the room. Goutran made no effort to detain her, though he knew very well that her departure would be the signal for a general move, as it was long after midnight. Esperance tried to speak, but he found it impossible to say a word to Jane. The intendant preceded them.
Esperance." The writing changed. "I must make Esperance stop. She has been wandering again as she writes. Her pulse is very quick. I must tell her father. Au revoir, dear girl, and come back soon; for you are the brightness and peace she longs for. My regards to your husband. Eleanore Frahender." This letter made Maurice, his wife and the Duke very anxious.
"I believe you, my son," said M. Dantès, in a tone of conviction, "and this unequivocal assurance from your own lips removes the weight of a mountain from me. Now, tell me, is the Viscount Massetti as blameless in this affair as you are?" "The so-called Viscount Massetti is a black-hearted villain!" cried Espérance, excitedly.
Then a clash had suddenly arisen; Espérance had expressed his abhorrence of his sister's suitor, had given mysterious hints that had recalled the half-forgotten Roman scandal, and a separation between Giovanni and Zuleika had ensued, the former refusing to speak out and clear himself, pleading his terrible oath of silence.
Poor actors, so misunderstood! so misrepresented! The philosopher showed all the letters to Esperance, who shrugged her shoulders, astonished to find there was so much prejudice in the world against her beloved calling. One letter, however, she took quite seriously. It was written by the most eminent of all the Academicians. One sentence in the epistle wounded the poor child very deeply.
The boat was taking on board a dozen red hogs that snorted mightily. Several women with well-laden baskets settled themselves in the fore part of the vessel, using the baskets as a barricade between themselves and the pigs. Our travellers settled themselves as well as possible, which was not well at all, on the little bridge under an awning. However, Esperance found it all delightful.
Monte-Cristo lingered a week or more that Esperance might recover from his fatigue of both body and mind, but the day finally came when the caravan started for France. "Monsieur Fanfar," said the Count, "are we never to meet again?" "Ah! who can say!" and Fanfar smiled. "I shall never forget my beloved France, and I am sometimes sick with longing to return."
Word Of The Day