Part 24 (1/2)
”The Duke?”
”Yes, the Duke.”
”I do not love him,” she answered frightened. ”At moments I even hate him, and....”
”And?” insisted the young man, pressing the hand he was still holding.
”... I am happy to be your fiancee!!!”
Her voice vibrated, her eyes were tender with grat.i.tude.
During the dinner Countess Styvens announced that she must go next day.
”I will take my mother to Brussels,” said Albert, ”and if you will permit me, I will return immediately.”
The dinner was very gay, for they were all happy. Esperance herself, so restless, so disturbed only that morning, talked animatedly, keeping them all delighted with her grace and indefinable charm.
Genevieve was astonished, doubting for a little while whether she was simply purposely creating a false excitement. But no, she was really happy.
Baron van Berger rose for a little toast.
”Dear friend,” he said, bowing to the Countess, ”I am delighted to see that you are reinforcing the ranks and enlisting the younger cla.s.s.
This reinforcement will bring you light, the joy of its twenty years.
I drink to your sun of Austerlitz.”
Then, turning towards Albert, ”I drink to the line of little soldiers that you will give to Belgium, my boy.”
The Count became scarlet. Esperance dropped her eyes. Maurice could hardly restrain his desire to laugh.
”Do not forget that life is a battle,” continued the General. ”Do not shut yourself up in your happiness, but be always on your guard...!”
”I drink to you, Lady Esperance, who bear a name of hope for the future, for you will certainly understand that the most beautiful role to play is that of wife and mother, which has nothing to do with your theatrical fictions....”
Esperance rose, but Albert restrained her, looking at his mother. The charming woman said tactfully, ”My good friend, I think that you have spoken according to your own convictions. Esperance will conduct herself always as seems best to her.”
”How kind you are, Madame!” And the young girl went and kissed her hand.
This little incident had interfered with the quiet of the evening. But Esperance resumed her serenity, as she understood that her future mother-in-law had quite recognized the possibility that she might remain faithful to her art.
As to Maurice, the Baron had put him in such spirits that he was sparkling with wit, and the dinner ended in the most delightful camaraderie and good feeling. Esperance, before they had time to ask her, went gaily to the piano; Albert sat down beside her and begged that she would sing.
She agreed sweetly, on condition that her fiancee should accompany her. Her voice was very pure and clear, and she sang a simple ballad with exquisite taste.
”You have no middle voice,” objected the Baron.
”Quite true,” agreed Esperance with a silvery laugh; ”you are terribly frank.”
When the girls were alone together finally, Genevieve complimented her friend upon all that had happened.
”You were adorably gracious, dear little Countess, and I believe in your happiness!”