It
would amuse him to watch her develop. At present she was full of
illusions about the charm of life in general. Everything for her
showed rose-tinged. Well, it was not his business to dispel illusions.
At present it was all "_Le Reve_," but after the dream would come
awakening. He took care to leave her very little alone during the
first few days, and arranged her time according to his own ideas, and
escorted her backwards and forwards from her rehearsals at the
Hippodrome.
When she was free he took her for long walks up the hills where they
could look down upon the gorgeous city, which, as far as natural
loveliness went, might have been compared to Paradise rather than to
the Hell to which he invariably likened it.
The beautiful harbour, the dry air, the sunlight and splashes of vivid
colour--everything was intoxicating to her. She said very little, but
Emile felt that she missed nothing, and lacked nothing in appreciation.
For himself the place must be always hateful, for he was in exile.
What was the golden sunlight to him when he longed for the snows and
frozen wastes of Russia, that sombre country so like the hearts of
those by whom it is peopled.
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