He had resolved to be
calm, but a sullen, unbidden anger arose within him.
When the housekeeper had installed the two girls in a tower of the
Chateau, she left with them a little Breton peasant girl.
"She will be devoted to your service," she said. "Her name is
Jeanette. Her room is above yours and, when you ring this bell, she
will wait upon you at once."
Esperance threw herself on her bed, still dressed, for her heart was
overflowing.
"Ah! why, why is Albert so trusting? Why did he let me come here?
Would it not have been better to have run the risk of offending the
Duchess?"
And when Genevieve tried to reason with her, "I am suffering, little
sister," she replied, "I am so unhappy; for the sight of the Duke at
the window distressed me. I tremble at the idea of seeing him again,
and yet I long for the time when I can give him my hand."
"But this is serious," said Genevieve. "I thought you had recovered
from all that nonsense, or rather, I thought you would be less
affected."
She helped Esperance to undress. The poor child let her do so without
a word.
She slept badly, haunted by dreams and troubled with nightmare. At six
o'clock in the morning she woke up feverishly, and rang for the maid.
The little Breton appeared five minutes later, her eyes still full of
sleep, her cap crooked.
"Will you get me a little warm water?" asked Esperance. "It is cold
from the tap."
"It is too early, I am afraid.
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