His heart
stopped beating, his throat contracted with a terrific pressure of
blood. He did not answer a word.
"In God's name," cried the Baron violently, "am I in the presence of a
woman or a man?"
"A man," said Count Albert, getting to his feet. "A man whose anger is
held in check by his respect, but who can endure no more," he added,
throwing back his arms to allow his chest to dilate still farther. "I
am going to answer you; please listen without interruption."
Then, after a moment more of silence, he declared, "Yes, I am
desperately in love with this young girl, and I am going to try
everything, not to make her love me, for that she probably never
will--but that she will let herself be loved. What will come of it, I
have not the least idea. I want her and no one else. I will commit
no disloyal act, I give you my word for that. If she should become my
wife, it would be with my mother's full permission. I beg you now, my
dear Baron, to say nothing further about it; I am old enough to
regulate my life, as much as the divine guiding force which you call
'Destiny' permits."
He came up to the Baron, clasped his hand in a firm grasp, and
reaching for his hat, added, "I want to get out in the air. Shall we
go together?"
The Baron recognized the opposition of an unchangeable will to his
own, which no discussion could influence.
CHAPTER XII
Life had resumed its regular course in the apartment on the Boulevard
Raspail, but an important relationship was developing in Esperance's
life.
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