On her
side there was no doubt that the Countess loved the young girl, but
although she did not cherish the narrow and false ideas of many of her
friends against the theatre, she would have preferred to have
Esperance give up her career....
General Van Berger, who always spoke his mind to her, reprimanded her
severely on this point.
"It is impossible," he affirmed, "to let things go any further. Albert
cannot marry an actress. I realize that the Darbois family is very
respectable; the young girl seems to me above reproach or criticism,
but she must give up this career. The Countess Styvens is not for the
public eye, and if she loves him...."
"But she does not love him."
Van Berger was silenced for a moment. "What do you say? She does not
love him. And you approve of such a union?"
"My son loves her so deeply, and knowing him as you do, you can not
doubt the fidelity of his affection. Esperance is touched, flattered
even, but she does not want to give up her profession; she would
rather, I believe, remain single, or at any rate only marry a man who
would allow her to continue her artistic life. If I refuse my consent
to the question my son will no doubt soon ask me, he will not insist;
but will enter a Chartist monastery. He has a friend, a Chartist in
France, whom he visits often. I shall lose my child forever, and my
sad life will end in tears."
The gentle woman began to weep quietly.
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