Her voice vibrated, her eyes were tender with gratitude.
During the dinner Countess Styvens announced that she must go next day.
"I will take my mother to Brussels," said Albert, "and if you will permit me, I will return immediately."
The dinner was very gay, for they were all happy. Esperance herself, so restless, so disturbed only that morning, talked animatedly, keeping them all delighted with her grace and indefinable charm. Genevieve was astonished, doubting for a little while whether she was simply purposely creating a false excitement. But no, she was really happy.
Baron van Berger rose for a little toast.
"Dear friend," he said, bowing to the Countess, "I am delighted to see
that you are reinforcing the ranks and enlisting the younger class.
This reinforcement will bring you light, the joy of its twenty years.
I drink to your sun of Austerlitz."
Then, turning towards Albert, "I drink to the line of little soldiers that you will give to Belgium, my boy."
The Count became scarlet. Esperance dropped her eyes. Maurice could hardly restrain his desire to laugh.
"Do not forget that life is a battle," continued the General. "Do not shut yourself up in your happiness, but be always on your guard…!"
"I drink to you, Lady Esperance, who bear a name of hope for the future, for you will certainly understand that the most beautiful role to play is that of wife and mother, which has nothing to do with your theatrical fictions…."