She has a little still-room close by where she uses her herbs. She cooks for me too. ” The Comtesse looked a little furtive as she glanced over her shoulder.
“NouNou will not allow anyone but herself to prepare my meals.”
I wondered what that meant, and for a moment I thought she was hinting that the Comte was trying to be rid of her. Is this conversation meant to convey some warning? I asked myself.
“She is clearly devoted to you,” I said.
“It is good to have someone who is devoted,” she answered. Then she seemed to draw her attention away from her ailments with some difficulty. She said: “You have seen the Comte since you arrived?”
I told her I had.
“Has he mentioned Marguerite’s marriage to you?”
No,” I replied with some alarm.
“He will give her a little time to recover. It will be a good match.
The bridegroom comes from one of the highest families in France. He will have titles and estates one day. “
“Is Marguerite to be told?”
“Not yet. Will you try to reconcile her to it? The Comte says you have influence with her. He will insist on obedience but it would be more comfortable if she could be persuaded that it is for the best.”
“Madame, she has just had a child and has lost him.”
“You must call me Cousin Ursule, by the way. But hasn’t the Comte told you that the matter is to be treated as though it never took place?”
“Yes, Cousin Ursule, but…”
“I think we should remember it. The Comte does not like his wishes to be ignored. Margot must be brought round to this … gradually perhaps but not too gradually. The Comte can be very impatient and he particularly wants to see Marguerite married before long.”
“I do not think it would be wise to broach the subject at this stage.”
She shrugged her shoulders and half closed her eyes. I f< faint,” she said.
“Call NouNou.”
Nou-Nou came immediately. I fancied she had been b far off, listening to our conversation.
She clucked impatiently and looked towards me.
“You’ tired her. There, mignon ne Nouny’s here. I’ll give you little Water of the Queen of Hungary, eh? That never fa to put you right. I made it this morning and it’s beautiful fresh.”
I went back to my room, considering the Comtesse and her devoted Nou-Nou and wondering what other st ran people I should find in this household.
By the evening Margot had recovered a little and she car to my room while I was doing my hair.
“We shall be supping in one of the small dining-room tonight,” she said. There is only the family. My father w anxious for it to be so tonight. “
“I am very glad of that. You know, Margot, I am n equipped for life on such a scale. When I agreed to con here, I thought it was as companion to you. I did not know I was to be raised to the rank of cousin and mingle.”
“Forget it. We shall get some clothes for you in time. What you are wearing is all right for tonight.”
All right! It was the grandest gown I possessed. My moth had been right after all when she had thought I should nei some fine garments.
Margot conducted me to the intimate sane a manger . , small but delightful and as exquisitely furnished as the other rooms I had seen in the house. The Comte was already there and there were two young men with him.
“Ah,” he said, ‘my Cousin Minelle. Is it not great go fortune that my sojourn in England was rewarded with cousin? Etienne, Leon, come and meet my Cousin Minelle The two young men bowed and the Comte took my an His fingers caressed my arm affectionately and reassuringly “This, Cousin, is Etienne. He is my son. Do you see resemblance?”
Etienne seemed to be waiting eagerly for my reply. The! is an undoubted resemblance,” I said, and he smiled at n;
“And this is Leon, whom I adopted when be was six.”
I liked Leon from the first. There was something which appealed to me in those laughing eyes. I only discovered when I saw them in daylight that they were deep blue-almost violet. He had very dark hair, rather crinkly and he wore no wig. He was well but not elaborately dressed.
Different from Etienne, whose coat sported lap is lazuli buttons and who had a diamond or two in his cravat.
“I had thought,” said the Comte, ‘that as this is Cousin Minelle’s first night with us we should sup en famille. Do you think that is a good idea. Cousin? “
I said I thought it was an excellent idea.
And here is Marguerite. You look better, my dear. The holiday has done you some good. Let us be seated. They are ready to serve. Cousin, you here beside me. Marguerite on my other side. “
We sat obediently.
“Now,” said the Comte, we can talk among ourselves. It is rarely that we are without guests. Cousin. But as it is our first evening I thought it would be easier for you to get to know us all. like this.”
I felt I was dreaming. What was the implication? He was treating me like an honoured guest.
“This, my dear Cousin, is one of the most ancient castles in the country,” he told me.
“You can easily lose yourself in the labyrinth of rooms and passages. Is that not so, Etienne, Leon?”
“It is, Monsieur Ie Comte,” said Etienne.
“They have all been here for many years,” explained the Comte, so it does not strike them. “
The servant brought round the highly-spiced food which I did not really care for. In any case I was not hungry.
Leon was regarding me with interest across the table. His smile was warm and I found it comforting. His attitude was different from that of Etienne who, I fancied, was a little suspicious of me. I wondered how much they knew of what had happened. They both seemed colourful personalities to me, I suppose because I already knew of their ‘origins which Margot had explained. Etienne seemed more in awe of the Comte than Leon, about whom there was something bold and carefree.
The Comte talked of the castle, the old part of which was only used on ceremonial occasions.
“One of you must show Cousin Minelle over the castle tomorrow.”
“Certainly,” said Etienne.
“I claim that honour,” put in Leon.
Thank you,” I replied, smiling at him.
Etienne asked questions about England and I answered best I could while the Comte listened attentively.
“You should speak English to our cousin,” he said.
“It would be courteous to do so. Come now, we shall speak in English.”
This curtailed the conversation considerably, for neither Etienne nor Leon had a good command of the language “You are silent, Marguerite,” said the Comte critically. want to see what an adept you have become at our cousin language. “
“Margot can speak English fluently,” I said.
“But with a French accent! Why is it that of all the world our two countries find it most difficult to speak each other language? Can you tell me that?”
“It is the way in which we move our mouths when v speak. The French have developed facial muscles which the English never use and vice versa.”
“I am sure. Cousin, that you have an answer for ever thing.”
“I would say that was true,” said Margot.
“So the gift of speech has been restored to you.”
Margot flushed a little and I asked myself why when was beginning to like the Comte he had to spoil it with son unkind thrust.
“I don’t think she ever lost it,” I said with some as perit “Like most of us, Margot feels less inclined for conversation sometimes than others.”
“You have a champion. Marguerite. You are very luck ” I have always known I was lucky to have Minelle for friend. “
“Very lucky,” said the Comte, looking at me.
Leon asked in halting English where we spent our ho] day.