I love her purely as an idealist. I would like
Count Albert to look like the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche, and still
keep the noble soul that we know he possesses. If your cousin should
die, I truly believe that I would die. My life would be without aim,
without soul; bereft of light, the reflection would vanish."
They walked slowly down to the beach to join Albert and the girls. The
night had broken soft and limpid, full of stars, full of dreams. They
sat down on the sand, silently admiring the prospect. The waves broke
regularly as if scanning the poem of silence. A fresh scent rose from
the rocks which were clothed with sea moss. Far away a dog was
barking. The young people were silent, united in a mood of wonder
before the depths and lights of the night.
PART IV. THE CHATEAU
CHAPTER XXIII
On the fifteenth of September the girls had to tear themselves away
from their quiet retreat at Belle-Isle, and leave Penhouet and all
else to travel with Mlle. Frahender, Jean and Maurice to the Chateau
de Montjoie. When they arrived there, at ten in the evening, Esperance
recognised the Duke in the distance as soon as the carriage stopped.
He was looking out of one of the great windows above the terrace. He
was, in fact, awaiting the coming of Esperance. But he pretended not
to have seen the carriage and continued to gaze up at the stars.
Esperance trembled and her lips were icy cold. Albert had also seen
the Duke, and was not deceived by his attitude.
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