"
"I swear to you, Genevieve, that I make superhuman efforts; but no one
is master of his thoughts. They are so impulsive and rapid that they
seem to escape the control of the will."
"Nevertheless we can deprive them of power!"
"Alas!... But I do not want to sadden you. Look! Maurice is getting
anxious. Ah! you are going to be really happy, you are. I feel it.
True happiness is always found where love is equal."
Maurice could not resist crying out, at sight of the two girls, "How
grave you both look! What were you talking about that you should spoil
your beauty with furrows?"
The Count looked straight at Esperance and she could not prevent
herself from blushing.
"My God, have pity on me," she thought. "Help me to love this man."
After fifteen days of long walks, which grew longer every day, and
constant care, Albert became completely cured. They had a party at the
farm house to celebrate his recovery, with the garrison doctor for the
only outside guest.
The portrait of the Count that Maurice had done proved to be quite a
remarkable picture--life-like and natural. It was placed on the
mantel-piece in Mme. Styvens's room, where she found it when she
returned after lunch. It was accompanied by a very simple letter, but
a very sincere one, recalling the courage of the young Count and nobly
expressing the gratitude of all. It was written and signed by the
philosopher, Mme. Darbois and Maurice.
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