The Idol of Paris | Page 7

had obeyed, graduated brilliantly, and was
now presenting himself for the entrance examination as a tragedian.
The three young people went over the two scenes Esperance had
chosen together.
"What a pretty voice you have, Mademoiselle," said Genevieve
Hardouin timidly.
After the rehearsal of Les Femmes Savantes, when they finished the
scene of Iphygenia, Jean Perliez turned to Madame Darbois and
inquired the name of Esperance's instructor.
"Why, she had none. My daughter has worked alone; I have given her
the cues." She smiled that benevolent smile, which always lighted her
features with a charm of true goodness and distinction.
"That is indeed remarkable," murmured Jean Perliez, as he looked at
the young girl. Then bending towards Madame Darbois, "May I be
permitted, Madame, to ask your daughter to give me the cues of 'Junia'
in Britannicus? The young lady who was to have played it is ill."
Madame Darbois hesitated to reply and looked towards Esperance.
"Oh! yes, mama, of course you will let me," said that young lady, in
great spirits. And without more ado, "We must rehearse, must we not?
Let us begin at once."
The young man offered her the lines. "I don't need them," she said
laughing, "I know 'Junia' by heart." And, indeed, the rehearsal passed
off without a slip, and the little cast separated after exchanging the
most enthusiastic expressions of pleasure.

A comrade asked Perliez, "Is she any good, that pretty little blonde?"
"Very good," Perliez replied curtly.
Everything went well for Esperance. Her appearance on the miniature
stage where the examinations were held caused a little sensation among
the professor-judges.
"What a heavenly child!" exclaimed Victorien Sardou.
"Here is truly the beauty of a noble race," murmured Delaunay, the
well-known member of the Comedie-Française.
The musical purity of Esperance's voice roused the assembly
immediately out of its torpor. The judges, no longer bored and
indifferent, followed her words with breathless attention, and when she
stopped a low murmur of admiration was wafted to her.
"Scene from Iphygenia," rasped the voice of the man whose duty it was
to make announcements. There was a sound of chairs being dragged
forward, and the members of the jury settling themselves to the best
advantage for listening. Here in itself was a miniature triumph,
repressed by the dignity assumed by all the judges, but which
Esperance appreciated none the less. She bowed with the sensitive
grace characteristic of her. Genevieve Hardouin and Jean Perliez
congratulated her with hearty pressures of the hand.
As she was leaving Sardou stopped her in the vestibule. "Tell me,
please, Mademoiselle, are you related to the professor of philosophy?"
"He is my father," the girl answered very proudly.
Delaunay had arisen. "You are the daughter of François Darbois! We
are, indeed, proud to be able to present our compliments to you. You
have an extraordinary father. Please tell him that his daughter has won
every vote."
Esperance read so much respect and sincerity in his expression that she

curtsied as she replied, "My father will be very happy that these words
have been spoken by anyone whom he admires as sincerely as M.
Delaunay."
Then she went quickly on her way.
As soon as they were back on the Boulevard Raspail and home,
Esperance and her mother moved towards the library. Marguerite, the
maid, stopped them. "Monsieur has gone out. He was so restless. Is
Mademoiselle satisfied?"
"I was; but I am not any more, Marguerite, since papa is not here. Was
he feeling badly?"
"Well, he was not very cheerful, Mademoiselle, but I should not say
that there was anything really the matter with him."
Mother and daughter started. Someone was coming upstairs. Esperance
ran to the door and fell into the arms of that dearly-loved parent. He
kissed her tenderly. His eyes were damp.
"Come, come, dear, that I may tell you...."
"Your lunch is ready," announced Marguerite.
"Thank you," replied Esperance; "papa, mama, and I, we are all dying
of hunger."
Madame Darbois gently removed her daughter's hat.
"Please, dear papa, I want to tell you everything."
"Too late, dear child, I know everything!"
The two ladies seemed surprised. "But--? How?"
"Through my friend, Victor Perliez, the chemist; who is, like me, a
father who feels deeply about his child's choice of a career."

Esperance made a little move.
"No, little girl," went on François Darbois, "I do not want to cause you
the least regret. Every now and then my innermost thoughts may escape
me; but that will pass.... I know that you showed unusual simplicity as
'Henriette,' and emotion as 'Iphygenia.' Perliez's son, whom I used to
know when he was no higher than that," he said, stretching out his hand,
"was enthusiastic? He is, furthermore, a clever boy, who might have
made something uncommon out of himself