The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 63 (1/2)
”It would be to mount upon the i yourself if I a at you, but I assure you that I am in solemn earnest The truth is, Esperance, that you are not happy”
”I assure you--”
”No, you are not happy because you are hampered by conventionalities
You never were in an omnibus, I suppose?”
”No, never”
”When you wish to go out you ring the bell, and your carriage is brought round If you go to the theatre a spacious _loge_ is in readiness for you You go into society--you are received with smiles Do you know that a life like that would be my death?”
”Why do you talk thus to-day?” asked Esperance
”I can't tell you why The words cos precisely Youof life You are like a drop of oil in a pitcher of water--you do not le with the rest of humanity, and you are bored!”
Esperance was annoyed that his mood had been so readily divined
”But you have not told me what sacrifice you desired of me”
”I did not say sacrifice--I said service”
”Well, whichever it ood! You are certainly the best fellow in the world!”
Here it must be mentioned that Esperance never drank wine The table was supplied with several kinds, but, like his father, Esperance never touched thelass of his friend
”I have come,” he said, ”to lass of wine as he spoke Esperance mechanically drank also
”This is ive a _soiree_ to-ht”
”You!”
”Yes, neither more nor less, and I intend to add to this _soiree_ a ball”
”In your atelier?”
”Why not? It is not as large as the Square, to be sure, but it will be a success”
”But what is the occasion of these festivities?”
”Oh! thereby hangs a tale A great Italian lord hen I was in Rome, extremely kind to me He treatedfor him and for other friends He is immensely wealthy himself--not to be mentioned the same day with you, to be sure