"Oh! he would never cause me great palpitation," she returned
meaningly.
"Are you making any allusion to Mlle. Darbois?" he asked, stopping
abruptly.
"I am engaged to Mlle. Darbois, I believe you know, Madame. You are
piqued because you love the Duke de Morlay and he seems to be
deserting you to hover near my fiancee. Do as I do; have a little
patience; to-morrow by this time the fete will be over and I shall
have left with Mlle. Darbois. Don't be either too nervous or too
malicious, it does not agree with your type of beauty. I kiss your
hands."
He went towards the Chateau, and took up his vigil in the little salon
adjoining Esperance's room.
The Countess of Morgueil was confused and mortified. "He is not so
stupid as he looks," she thought.
Albert was reading, but listening all the time. Finally a carriage
stopped before the Chateau. He went down quickly and caught Esperance
in his arms so tightly that the young girl gave a little scream.
"Oh! pardon, pardon. It is so long since I have seen you."
He kissed Mme. Darbois's hand and almost crushed the professor's
fingers in his nervous grasp. He asked anxiously concerning Penhouet,
and expressed his desire to return there immediately. Maurice and
Genevieve came running up.
"How happy every one looks here," said Mme. Darbois.
"Don't believe it, my dear aunt; we are standing on a volcano."
"Ah! the cares of the fete weigh upon you.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230