Their cries were heard
even by the audience. Reporters came running to witness this unbilled
spectacle. The stage hands tried to free the Manager, but desisted
when one received a terrible smash from the Count's fist, and another
a kick that sent him through space. When the two men were reduced to
rags, Albert held them upright and addressed them:
"I am going into the hall to see the show. I advise you to withdraw
the scene we spoke of and to which I object."
Then he quietly re-arranged his clothes and went into the auditorium
where the audience were very noisy and laughing at the news the
journalists had reported. Count Albert was one of the best known
figures about Brussels, where his father had played a very important
part in the foreign affairs of the country, and enjoyed, for more than
twenty years, the confidence of King Leopold. When he died his wife
was still a young and very beautiful woman, and his great fortune had
made the only heir of the family already famous. The Count was
astonished at the clamorous ovation that received him. He would have
liked to impose silence on the people, but he was a poor orator, and
very timid; he kept silence and wont to his seat. He was popular from
that day, and greatly respected.
At the Monnaie, as soon as the rehearsal was over, the Queen sent for
Esperance and Mounet-Sully. The Queen assured the tragedian of the
admiration that she had long felt for him, for Mounet-Sully played
almost every year in Brussels; but all her kindly enthusiasm was
directed towards Esperance.
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