Part 7 (1/2)

”Oh! no, I beg you, do not spoil my joy.”

”Then, we will take care of your travelling expenses, and those of your party.”

She contracted her beautiful eyebrows a little. ”Oh! M. Mounet-Sully, I am rich just now, think of all the money that I have made these four months that we have been giving Victorien Sardou's play. I don't want anything, I am glad, so glad....”

She kissed her father and her mother impulsively, and also the astonished old Mademoiselle.

”What about me?” asked Mounet-Sully gaily; ”do I not get my reward?”

She held up her forehead for a salutation from the artist, who took leave of the family, glowing with delight at the good news he had to carry back to the Comedie.

”To-morrow you will get a schedule of rehearsals,” he called from the doorway.

Madame Darbois was worried about the journey, and Mlle. Frahender agreed to accompany Esperance. It was decided that Marguerite should go to look after them. The faithful soul had practically brought up the child; her zeal and devotion were unfailing.

But M. Darbois raised the objection, ”You should have a man with you.”

The door bell rang, then they heard a voice, ”In the salon? Don't bother to announce me, I'll go up!”

Maurice Renaud entered immediately, followed by Jean Perliez.

”Well, my boy,” said Francois Darbois to his nephew, ”you are quite a stranger; it must be a month since we saw you last. You are most welcome.”

He shook hands cordially with both young men. He was struck by Jean's sad expression and hollow cheeks. ”You are not looking like yourself, my friend.”

Jean did not hear this, he was gazing at Esperance, so pretty in her feather toque.

”We are come, uncle, expressly to ask your permission to accompany my cousin to Brussels. We were told of the project yesterday by Mounet-Sully, and if you approve....”

”On my word, my dear fellow,” cried out the professor, delightedly, ”you will do me a real service, I was just considering about writing to Esperance's G.o.dfather!”

”What a narrow escape! papa darling, and what a horrid surprise you were plotting without giving any sign!”

”Then you prefer this arrangement? You accept Maurice and Jean as your knights-errant? I am delighted with the arrangement, and I hope that Mlle. Frahender will raise no objection.”

The gentle old lady smiled at them all. She was very fond of Jean Perliez, and Maurice Renaud's high spirits delighted her.

It was decided that Jean, as most responsible, should be in charge of all the details of the journey. Francois Darbois led him into the library and entrusted him with a goodly sum of money.

”This should cover your expenses. I count upon you, my young friend, and I thank you.”

He paused a moment, then asked affectionately, ”Have you no hope?”

”None,” replied Jean, simply, ”but what does it matter, but to-day, at least, I am quite happy!”

Two days after this visit, the notice of the first rehearsals was received. Esperance was at the theatre long before the hour required, and went at once towards the stage. The curtain had just been raised, and the lamp of the servant dusting served only to lighten the gloom.

Followed by Mlle. Frahender, the young girl traversed the corridor ornamented with marble busts and pictures of the famous artists who had made the house of Moliere more ill.u.s.trious by their talent. With beating heart, she descended the four steps that led to the stage.

There she stopped s.h.i.+vering. She seemed to see shadows drawing near her, and her hand clenched that of the old Mademoiselle.