The beautiful portrait, so
delicately presented, was a source of happy comfort to this lonely
woman.
The next day the Countess had a long talk with her son. He was sitting
at her feet.
"Reflect very carefully," she said to him, "reflect very carefully. I
believe that that child, whom I love, whom I find absolutely charming,
will not willingly renounce her art. However, I am ready to do all I
can to persuade her to accede to our desire and leave a career which
would be an endless source of worry and suffering for you, my dear
son."
"Mama, do not trouble her too much. She is honest and loyal, and I
have nothing to fear for the honour of my name."
And before his mother could speak he went on: "I am jealous, it is
true, but what happiness is not willing to pay for itself with a
little pain? Then, perhaps, she will understand. I love her so much,
dear, dear mother."
She took the head of the dearly loved son in her hands, and looking
deep in his eyes, said fervently--"Dear God! May happiness reward so
great a love!"
The young Count returned with his mother to the farm where Francois
Darbois and his wife waited for them by agreement. After a quarter of
an hour's conversation, Esperance was asked to come to her parents.
She was in her room. Her heart beat as if it would break. She had been
warned by Maurice of her family's interview with the Countess.
Genevieve was with her, extolling the advantages of such a union, at
the same time exalting the real goodness of the Count.
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