Jeanette knew too, but Genevieve, who understood that she was there to
keep the Duke informed, found her very docile and repentant and did
not send her away. The Countess, to whom they had sent a daily
bulletin for three weeks, found that Esperance, if not cured, was at
least on the way to convalescence. She would still pass many hours
when she failed to recognize people. A kind of coma took possession of
her every now and then and kept her for days together in a kind of
lethargy.
The season was getting late, and all the house guests had left. The
Dowager Duchess did not wish to return to Paris, although her son, who
had become a deputy as she wished, invited her to come and stay with
him. The Prince de Bernecourt had had to once more take up his post,
but his wife had stayed to keep her friend company, and because she
loved the "little Darbois," as she called her. The Duke de Morlay was
visiting friends whose Chateau was about an hour's journey away. He
came every day for news from the Duchess, and from his goddaughter
Jeanette.
A month went by. The young girl, now convalescent, was strong enough
to be moved.
"We will take her to Penhouet for a month," said Francois Darbois's
note to the Countess, "and when she is quite cured we will send her to
you in Brussels."
The Duke was in despair at the idea of hearing that Esperance was to
go away. He complained to Maurice whom he saw every day, "Can I not
see Esperance?"
"Yes, but only for a few seconds," said the young painter.
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