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"Then, darling papa?" "I want to talk with you a little more before you send it." Everyone drank their coffee a little quicker, and five minutes later Francois found himself alone with his daughter. Even Mme. Darbois had withdrawn, afraid that she might show her own anxiety too much. "I am listening to you, papa." "You are going to answer my questions with perfect frankness, Esperance?"
From the Brasils we made directly away over the Atlantic sea to the Cape de Bonne Esperance, or, as we call it, the Cape of Good Hope; and had a tolerable good voyage, our course generally south-east; now and then a storm, and some contrary winds.
Esperance raised her eyes and looked at the mother of the young man. She was dressed in mauve; her temples, prematurely grey, accentuated the delicacy of her complexion. Her whole person breathed constant goodness, sacrifice without regret.
"Yes, they robbed me of a treasure a treasure for which I would give all else I have in the world. They carried away a young girl whom I love." "And the girl's name?" "Jane. And now I wish you to take me to her." "And if I refuse?" "I will kill you!" answered Esperance, coldly. The other began to laugh noisily. "No," he said, "you will not kill me!
"His lion courage, wonderful mental resources and mysterious power will render him more than a match for the untutored Arabs with whom it is his mission to contend." "Yes, Mercédès; but my son, my Esperance? He is so young to be exposed to the dangers of the desert!" "But Monte-Cristo is with him, and the father's love will shield him from all harm."
The farmer arranged to have the Commandant's horse here for this morning, but he comes accompanied by many warnings and I want to try him out when you are not here; if M. Perliez will be my guide to Port-Herlin to-day I shall be glad. To-morrow I hope you will offer me the same chance again...?" Esperance smiled delightfully. "Suppose we have lunch there," said Maurice.
The girl's hair had fallen loose, and its darkness made an admirable background for her delicate features. When Esperance saw this frail form thus inert, and the blue-veined lids closing the eyes, he yielded to his emotion and sobbed like a child. He was very unlike his father, and in these few moments he probably suffered more than his father had ever done.
Besides, think of the disgrace for us both in such an event! The matter will get abroad, furnish food for gossip and certainly reach the ears of my father and brother, whose displeasure I dread more than all else! Think, too, that Espérance will call you to account for your conduct, and I could never bear a quarrel between you and him in which, perhaps, blood might be shed!"
He had then thought very seriously of giving up the theatre and becoming a barrister, as his father had always wished him to do, but that would mean that he would lose the chance of seeing Esperance so often. Jean Perliez had become great friends with Maurice Renaud, the girl's cousin. They both talked of her and loved her, but Maurice's love was more selfish, less deeply rooted.
I conceived the detestable idea of revenging myself on Albert, but every scheme went against me. I have been beaten without ever having fought." Then he paused. "Since you have done me the honour to make me your confidant, permit me to say that the little ambush you laid for Esperance this morning...." The Duke interrupted, "That ambush was a vulgar trick, theatrical and cheap.
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