I will get out of your way gracefully, if
you succeed; but I have a presentiment that neither you nor I will be
the lucky fellow. I shall console myself, but you, take care!"
Esperance suspected nothing of the different emotions she was causing.
Her youth guarded her against any betrayal of the senses. She thought
that love was the natural result of marriage. The great passions as
the poets sang them exalted her spirit, made her heart beat faster,
but for her they remained in the realms of the ideal.
CHAPTER VII
A horrible catastrophe occurred in Belgium, leaving the inhabitants of
the lower quarter of Brussels without shelter or clothing. Relief was
organized on all sides, and the Theatre-Francaise announced a great
representation of _Hernani_ to be given as a benefit for the
sufferers in the Royal Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels. The star who
had undertaken "_Dona Sol_" fell ill ten days before the performance
was due. The Comedie was much embarrassed, for the usual understudy
of the indisposed actress was an amiable echo, with little talent.
Mounet-Sully thought immediately of Esperance and obtained permission
to make whatever arrangements he could with her. His arrival at the
Darbois home occasioned great excitement.
"I claim your indulgence in the name of charity, Monsieur," he said to
Francois. "The Comedie-Francaise finds itself in the most awkward
quandary. We have prepared a big gala performance at La Monnaie, to
raise money for all those poor Belgian sufferers.
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