Esperance
and the Countess walked on either side of him; but suddenly he grew
dizzy, and stretched out his arms. Maurice started forward to catch
him as he tottered, and the Count saved himself by catching hold of
the shoulder of Esperance. Under this heavy burden Esperance shuddered
and nearly fell, and grew so pale that Genevieve came to her.
"Give me your arm, darling, and walk a little behind with me, you seem
so shaken.... Oh! I guess why...."
Maurice and General van Berger supported Albert, who had lost his
self-reliance and was a little crestfallen.
"Yes; I have been tortured again by some sort of repugnance," said
Esperance. "I know that I should devote myself to loving that man.
But...."
"That will make for the happiness of all who love you."
"Yes, but it will be like condemning myself to death."
Genevieve shivered and grew silent, while pressing Esperance close to
her side to give her courage. Her friend's confidences troubled her
sadly. She also saw the shade of sorrow hovering over this pure face.
She was on the point of encouraging Esperance to refuse the union
which would no doubt be proposed for her, but the recollection of the
Duke haunted her. Was not this man more to be feared than death
itself?
"These are silly notions that crowd your brain with presentiments and
nightmares. You must rouse your energy, my darling, and chase
everything that threatens to hurt your life.
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