The Idol of Paris

ing soundly. Esperance enquired as soon as her own eyes were well opened, what kind of nigh

hat a sun. Have you seen

f good news," Jean crie

s?" said

icked up the receiver, and announced dejectedly

.. You see, Jean, that I wa

ople burst o

o spoil my trip here. I don't like him, and his advice ne

was getting impatie

explained to Mlle. Frahender, who had just come into her room, all powdered, all pinned an

at! at half-past nine not up, that is shameful! I must talk to her

sed in haste to allow herself plenty of time to write to her family. They had already exchanged telegrams, but she knew that her father would like to have a long letter, giving him the minutes, so to speak, of herself. A tender gratitude swelled up in her, and her eyes were wet as she evoked the image of these two beloved bein

ance stopped, clutching her aged frie

had instantly recognized Count Albert and her godfather. How d

ogether all the guests except the godfather, who would not enter until the exact minute, if he had to wait in the corridor.... He thought it witty to beha

ehead his goddaughter pressed forward to him. Then, turning to the

ks to Maurice, who made a point of laughing at everything Adhemar said, they had a gay luncheon, and Adhemar himself, appreciating the consider

"On my word, my girl, they have given you the

a very liberal sum of money, with instruct

es into this little head, which is already full of nonsense. Esperance will end by taking herself seriously; she is al

the eyeballs of the foolish blunderer, until he fluttered his lashes an

from distrusting you, my child. You are nice-looking, you have a pretty voice, you may some day develop some tal

hearsal at the Fran?aise." (Mlle. Frahender nodded agreement.) "I believe," J

y unfairly. She is just as modest, just as gentle, as she was a year ago, and those who love her may be well re

oulders. "They are all

d before a basket of flowers.

t Styvens,"

, but he did not breathe a word concerning h

for a reply a waiter e

would like

out the young art

in the room, Mounet-Sully regained his as

be prompt, because we have heard that the Queen will be there, though

"It is fortunate that I shall not see

hearsal," returned the tragedian. "She is a

ing Leopold, come th

with great

Mounet-Sull

, he turned, "Have you rece

eing introduced by the ma?tre d'

Excellence, the Count de Bernecourt, Minister of Belgium to France, and the Princess, hope that Mlle. Fra

without the permissio

era

sume the responsibility. Your mother encouraged me to watch over yo

the King will have you pr

I want my father's approval. I wi

y you," said the

ean went forward at once. "I will go and secure the conne

owed the girl in silence out of the room. He rang, the lift stopped before them, empty. Albert Styve

a breath, s

d, but he speedily recovered himself, and when Esperance re

ep, she again felt herself lif

she cried angrily, s

. Esperance could still feel on her delicate

which had this time served him ill. He was violently attracted by this charming little creature, with whom he adm

is consent to his daughter to attend the supper. Madame Darbois w

nani," she answered, and after a gentle farewell, E

masterpiece was magnificently presented. The greatest artists filled even minor r?les. Mounet-Sull

studious, ever disdaining the pleasures of his age. His childhood passed in the grey and pious atmosphere in which his mother steeped herself. His youth developed under the rule of his preceptor, a pale youth, without laughter, without aspirations. The physicians had never been able to persuade the Countess to let her son have the joy of travel of sea and mountain, so he had to be satisfied with the physical exercises she permi

nded to see the Director, who was in conversation with the author of the piece. He went right up to them. "I," he said, raising his hat p

of a theatre for the pleasure of producing revues, which if

money! That act is one

a man of doubtful reputation, always on the

y to offend you, but I c

d faces. Their cries were heard even by the audience. Reporters came running to witness this unbilled spectacle. The stage hands tried to free the Manager, but desisted when one

show. I advise you to withdraw the sc

portant part in the foreign affairs of the country, and enjoyed, for more than twenty years, the confidence of King Leopold. When he died his wife was still a young and very beautiful woman, and his great fortune had made the only heir of the family already f

The Queen assured the tragedian of the admiration that she had long felt for him, for Mounet-Sully

icious voice!" she sa

teen,

id a bracelet

uvenir of your first a

mois

hand, she tried to clasp upon her wrist the jewel she had just receiv

u very much," said th

of her complexion. Her whole person breathed constant goodness, sacrifice without regret. The young artist loved at sight this woman she was beholding

n a hurry to rid herself of her strange cavalier, who pretended to be oblivious of her nervous haste. Esperance requested him to convey

ce. The godfather examined the bracelet set with sapphires and diamonds. He put on his glasses, co

stimony of good will offered by this kind Sover

haught

trives to destroy dreams. Mlle. Frahender gently removed t

ading Esperance to her room, after bowing to Adhemar. Maurice and Je

reason. You forget that she has created for herself a position beyond

in a fury. "The rest of you burn incense before her; she

ike, as trusting and light-hearted as anyone in the world. You cast a gloom on her spirits, you try to curb her spontanei

n by that, you fine painter fellow? You are glad enough to h

, ever since they were born, have found their food ready under their noses; those who, never using their ten fingers, never using their brains, live only to increase inherited in

h!" scream

rm the sole function th

tha

usband, a fath

rth my while to reply to you. Y

een kept awake by the noise of their voic

will say good-bye! You

. It is a fact that the majority of people cherish more rancour a

h-as they call it. I am going to your

ell the truth; he will await my return to ju

d stormed out of the room, s

a kiss to the

Do not forget, my loyal attendants, that we dine at six-thirty," she added with a s