"
She spoke fast and laughed nervously.
"Who freed you from your chains?"
"Perseus, it was his duty!"
"And now he is going to give you an apple."
"Then," she said very prettily, "I must try to deserve it. Come help
me to make myself beautiful."
She led Genevieve away by the hand.
Maurice remained rooted to the spot. Somehow he guessed what sudden
change had operated upon his cousin's spirit. Something must have
taken place in the corridor between these two! He murmured sadly,
"Poor Albert, poor little cousin!"
The young Count appeared before him in his most radiant humour.
"I have just met Esperance," he said. "She was joyous, brilliant, I
have never before seen her so happy!"
Maurice gnawed his moustache, and moved rather angrily.
"We should never have come here," he said, "success has turned her
head."
"She was born for success," said the Count. "I often ask myself
whether I have a right to accept the sacrifice she is making for me."
"My dear friend, when things are well you should leave them alone."
"When you love as I love, you desire above everything the happiness of
the one you love."
"Unless the one you love should prefer someone else to you?"
"You are wrong, Maurice. I would sacrifice myself for Esperance's
happiness if I knew she wanted to marry another man."
Maurice shrugged his shoulders.
"We are not of the same race. Your blood runs colder in your veins
than mine, for mine boils.
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