"
Jean was charged with excluding all those who were not in the
tableaux. Albert was included in those not admitted, and he certainly
would have held it against the Duke, had he still been Director; but
Jean explained to him that Maurice had taken this means of making the
rehearsal go more quickly. Genevieve, who was also excluded, kept the
Count company, and tried to distract him; but he was in a very
despondent humour. When he saw the Duke arrive so late, he said,
somewhat crossly, "He is delaying the rehearsal."
"Oh! no," said Genevieve, "he does not come on until the second group,
and there is no need for him to appear in costume."
When Andromeda was extended upon her rock the Duke took his position.
They were alone in their wooden frame.
"Won't you trust yourself to me?" he breathed.
"I love you with all my soul."
"My life is yours," she replied.
The scene had turned very quickly, the curtain, had fallen. Maurice
came up and helped the Duke to unfasten the girl. She was radiant. He
was transformed. Maurice guessed that they had spoken together, but he
asked nothing.
The second tableau was given immediately. Paris was not in costume. He
held the apple to the glorious Aphrodite, the picture turned, the
rehearsal was over for Esperance. The Duke still had to take part in
two other scenes.
When Esperance was dressed she followed Maurice's advice to go join
Genevieve and Albert.
"What a relief," he exclaimed at sight of her, "I began to think it
would never be over.
Pages:
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223