..."
She drew away her hand hastily, ran to the staircase and disappeared.
He heard the door open and his cousin's voice saying, "How pale you
are, Genevieve!"
"What are you dreaming about, Cousin Maurice?" said Albert, putting
his hand gently on his shoulder.
That hand felt to Maurice as heavy as remorse.
"Let us go and see what is going on," said the young painter. "There
is Jean coming to look for us now."
CHAPTER XXIV
In the great hall of the Chateau a charming theatre had been built.
Everything was ready for the rehearsal. An enormous revolving platform
held three wooden squares which would serve as frames for the tableaux
vivants. The mechanism had been arranged by an eminent Parisian
engineer. A curtain decorated by Maurice served as background. There
were eleven little dressing rooms, seven for the women, four for the
men.
Maurice saw the Duke seated straddlewise on a chair, and smoking a
cigarette. The three men went up to him before he was aware of their
presence. At sound of Albert's voice he sprang to his feet, almost as
if expecting an attack. His nostrils were dilated, his face set. In an
instant he resumed his usual manner, and shook hands with the young
men.
"You were asleep?" suggested the Count.
"No, I was dreaming, and I think you must have figured in my dream."
"Let us hear of the dream."
"Oh! no, dreams ought not to be told!"
And he pretended to busy himself with some orders.
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