The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 79 (2/2)
Now let us go back to Esperance Three days have elapsed since Jane was borne into the hotel on the Champs-Elysees
We find Madame Caraman deep in a conference with the person on whom she has more reliance than on any one else in the world, none other than herself! The good wo to every sound which came from the room where Jane lay utterly prostrated
”I don't know,” said the old lady half aloud, ”whether I aed me to look out for his son, and I have tried to do this I have now accepted a new duty frohts I have been watching over this poor young girl This is all very well The Vicomte has requested me to keep the affair secret, even from his father, and I have consented Here I am not sure that I have done wisely The Count said: 'If you have any especial coo to Monsieur Fanfar' That is clear enough But if I obey the father I disobey the son!”
All these arguood woman of the excellence of her cause, for she shook her head several tiirl's face looked like wax, her eyelids had a brownish tinge Her lips were parted with the sigh that her nurse had heard
Poor Jane! Was she on the road to recovery? Alas! the physicians did not yet answer for her life Goutran had, at the request of Esperance, brought two reat danger
When Madaive her the htened The color rushed to her cheeks, and she panted for breath
Suddenly her eyes opened wide, and she cried aloud:
”Ah! let me die--let me die!”
”My poor, dear child!” said Mada her tenderly on her brow, ”you ood”
But Jane did not listen to her She seemed to be haunted by so resurrections She struggled so fiercely in the arms of her nurse that Madame, who had been told to summon Esperance at any moment, leaned forward and touched a bell
In a moment the Vicomte appeared Oh! how pale and hollow-eyed he was!
As he entered, Jane fell back a her face with her hands
”What is it?” asked Esperance
”Only a little more fever, sir, but I feared an accident, and called you”
”You did right, and I thank you”
He took the girl's hands gently in his At his touch tears sprang to Jane's closed eyes, and a little shi+ver passed over her whole body
”She is calmer now,” said Madame, ”and I am allad you did You must be very weary Lie down, and I will stay here until dawn”
”No--I am old, I do not require much sleep, while you----”
Esperance sat on the foot of the bed, holding Jane's slender hands
”Do you think,” he said gently, ”that I can sleep while she is suffering? Go, I beg of you--I will call you soon”
Madame still resisted a little, perhaps for forJane's hands