Maurice, the Baron, Jean, Mlle. Frahender and Genevieve were all,
during this interview, walking nervously in different directions about
the farm Albert was in his mother's room, sitting down, his head in
his hands, awaiting the decision which was to settle the joy or sorrow
of his life. Maurice entered suddenly.
"Come on, cousin," he said, "they are waiting for you."
The young man sprang to his full height with complete command of his
over-excited nerves.
"Ah! Maurice, Maurice...."
He threw his arms about the young man and was off on a run for the
farm. He entered like one distraught, bent over his mother's hands,
and covering them with kisses, murmuring half-finished phrases.
Esperance was beside the Countess. He stood an instant in silence
before her, looking at her questioningly. Blushing and embarrassed the
young girl held out her hands to him and replied low to the question
in his eyes, "Yes."
Then he bent over her hand, and his lips murmured, "I thank you,
Esperance, oh! I thank you."
They all pressed the hands of the two fiances. Mlle. Frahender and
Genevieve kissed Esperance tenderly. The Baron thundered in his
military voice, "There has been no battle, and yet here is the breath
of victory. That is very good, but a little stifling. Let us have some
air!"
The good man had expressed the general sentiment.
The Darbois, Mlle. Frahender and Jean were sitting in the shade of a
little thicket of low, dark-needled pines and other trees with foliage
green like water.
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