But, perhaps you have a better
understanding of these things?"
And he left the Count to go and help the Duke prepare the "Judgment of
Paris."
Three young girls had been chosen for this tableau. Mlle. de Berneuve,
a beautiful brunette (Hera); Mlle. Lebrun, with flaming hair (Athene);
and Esperance, delicately blonde, was to represent Aphrodite, to whom
the shepherd Paris would award the prize for beauty.
To personify Aphrodite the girl wore a long pink tunic, with a peplum
of the same colour heavily embroidered. Her hair was piled high on her
head, leaving the lovely nape of her neck half covered by her
draperies, her exquisitely delicate arms emerging from a sleeveless
tunic. To represent the shepherd Paris, the Duke was wearing a short
tunic embroidered with agate beads to hold the stuff down, and a sheep
skin. A red cap was on his head. He was magnificent to look upon.
The stage began to revolve. Paris held out his apple to Aphrodite, who
went crimson at his glance. The girl's blushes did not escape the
audience, where the comments varied according to the person who made
them.
Maurice, Genevieve, and Jean understood what Esperance read in Paris's
eyes. A sad smile gave a melancholy grace to the lovely Aphrodite.
Both the actors had forgotten that they were not alone. Hypnotized
under the gaze of Paris, the young girl made a gesture towards him. A
sharp, "Don't move" from the prompter brought her back to herself.
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