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.
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