"
"She has never been in love with the Count, and can hardly endure him
since she has foreseen another future."
"What future?"
"The Duke wants to marry Esperance."
"But it is impossible, impossible," said the philosopher violently. "A
word that has been given cannot be taken back so lightly."
"Calm yourself, uncle, if you please. For three days I have been
wandering about in this untenable situation. We must make a decision.
Every instant I fear an outbreak either from Albert or from the Duke."
"How have Esperance and the Duke contrived to see each other?"
"I will tell you all that uncle, later, but the how and the why are
not very important at this moment. I want you to send for Albert.
Esperance does not wish to marry him. She has loved the Duke a long
time, but did not know that he loved her, and did not suppose an
alliance possible between our families, even though you have made the
name illustrious. For that matter I should never have supposed myself
that the Duke would consent to make what would generally be considered
a mesalliance."
"It all seems unbelievable," murmured Francois.
And with his head in his hands he groaned despairingly, "How can we
sacrifice that noble and unfortunate Albert?"
"One of the three must suffer, uncle. It would be a crime to sacrifice
Esperance who has the right to love whom she pleases and to choose her
own life. The Duke Morlay is loved, Count Albert is not and never has
been.
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