The Idol of Paris

ame necessary to make several new arrangements. As Fran?ois Darbois was not willing that his wife should accompany

iliating refusals. The young widow of an officer was directed b

u will be free every afternoon by four. The course is given in the morning, but twice

Sun

your own. The Conserva

nd

ompelled to refuse your offer. I am unfortunately forced to work to support my two children, but I owe some respect to the name I bear. The Conservatoi

ale. "It is not necessary for you to judge the

had already observed the modesty and independence of several of the young girls there: the well-informed minds of most of the young men. Nevertheless, she had had her lesson, and was careful not to lay herself open to any new affront. After some consideration, she engaged a charming old lady, named Eleanore Frahender, who had been compa

together. Esperance would recount all the little events of the day before and her studies for the day to come. Whenever she felt any doubt about an ambiguous phrase, she went at once to get her father's ad

an," she exclai

acine is human, that is why I love him. None of Corneille's he

?" asked Genev

erest for me. She nev

" said the pro

or the lover, or else she does not love her father: and, that being the case, she doesn't interest me at all. She is a horrid girl.

s, warning him that he was soon coming to lunch with them, to read his new play to the family. Esperance was wild with excitement. The time of waiting for the event seemed

med. The old lady arrived, carrying as usual the little box with the lace cap which she donned as soon as her bonnet was laid asi

stions were amazing in their logic. The extreme purity of this young soul seeki

piece, had become of primary importance. Sardou had been able to study Esperance's qualifications during t

intensity of the r?le by several scenes of real pathos, relying completely on Esperance to interpret them for him. Quite overcome by the death of the heroine she was to

on," said Sardou much touched, as he wrapped round his neck the large,

leave for his young protégée, but Esperance would on no account consent to give up her cla

s, could not make them adhere to their promises of silence, and when he complained bitterly to the head of a great daily, "But, my friend," the editor rejoined, "that dau

osopher

the fame of your name has simply served for a stepping-stone. You, in your wisdom, have been able to impart true wisdom to your child. But before the public has ever seen her she is famous, and Sardou af