“Indeed no. I find it interesting. I want to know what i happening.”
“Whatever happens,” said Leon, ‘we shall adjust ourselves That is my feeling. If change is inevitable we must grow accustomed to change.”
“I should not care to see a change which brought the mo into the chateau,” growled Etienne.
Leon shrugged and Etienne said angrily: “It might h easier for you.
You might fit better than some into a peasant hovel. “
There was a silence at the table. The Comte glanced from Etienne to Leon with an expression of amused tolerance on his face. Etienne’s was distorted with anger, Leon’s non chalant.
“Certainly I should,” said Leon easily.
“I remember the days of my extreme youth. I was not unhappy crawling in the mire. I am sure I could revert without a great deal of difficulty. I am fortunate to know two worlds.”
Etienne was silent. I wondered how often there was conflict between these two. It occurred to me that Etienne, so anxious to maintain his relationship with the Comte, was a little resentful of Leon’s intrusion and that Leon, being aware of this, cared little.
The Comte changed the subject, and I realized that he was accustomed to lead the conversation at the table and I wondered whether he liked to stir up such storms and watch the effect they had.
“We shall be giving Cousin Minelle a poor view of our country,” he said.
“Let us talk of those things of which we can be justly proud.
You will, I hope, enjoy Paris, Cousin a great city of culture which I can say without boasting is unequalled in the world. I have a house there. It is called an hotel but that is what we called our great houses in the past, so it is not an hotel in the sense which you would use the word. It has been in the family for nearly three hundred years. Yes, it was built in the reign of Francois Premier when some of the finest architecture in the world was set up in France. You will visit some of our beautiful castles of the Loire, I trust; and we shall enjoy introducing you to Paris. “
He went on to talk about the contrast of life in the country and the great city and so passed the rest of the meal.
I had found the conversation unexpected and I know that my mother would have considered it extremely shocking-not the sort we should have heard at the Derringham table when ladies were present. But it had stimulated me.
After dinner we went to another of the salons and there the Comte drank brandy. He insisted on my trying it. It burned my throat and I was afraid to take more than a few sips, which I knew secretly amused him.
When the ormolu clock struck ten he said that he thought it was time Marguerite was in bed. We must not forget that she was suffering from an indisposition. He wanted her to regain her health as quickly as possible. So we said good night and Margot and I went to our rooms.
Margot said: “Minelle, I don’t know how I am going to bear it. You know what’s going to happen, don’t you? They are going to find a husband for me.”
“Not yet,” I soothed.
“You are too young.”
“Too young. At seventeen one is old enough.”
‘you have proved that, I suppose. “
“It was the way my father looked at me when he was talking about the Queen and the King and how she was brought here to marry. It was a warning, I know.”
“I thought the conversation was a little unusual.”
“You mean risque. All that about the Pare aux Cerfs. It was done with a purpose, I think. My father was telling me that I was no longer an innocent virgin and he wanted no nonsense from me. I would have to do as I was told and it would be for my own good … like those girls in the Pare.”
“Is the conversation always like that when ladies are present?”
Margot was silent and my uneasiness increased.
“Come,” I said, ‘tell me what you are thinking. “
“My father has clearly taken a fancy to you, Minelle.”
“He certainly made a point of welcoming me … and he seems to call me Cousin with relish. But I thought it odd that he should have let the conversation go the way it did.”
“He did it purposely.”
“I wonder why.”
Margot shook her head and I felt a strong desire to be alone with my thoughts, so I said goodnight and went into my own room. The candles had been lighted by the maid and it looker charming in their light. I had never known such luxury. ‘. kept thinking of those girls taken from the mean streets an transported to a place like this. How had they felt?
I sat down at the mirror and took the pins from my had; so that it fell about my shoulders. Candlelight is notoriously flattering and I looked almost beautiful. My eyes were brigl with excitement, which was the more intense because it we tinged with fear;
there was a faint flush under my skin.
I looked over my shoulder at the door. To my relief I saw that there was a key. I went to it at once in order to lock but before I could do so I heard the murmur of voices. S stood, my hand on the key ready to turn it. The footstep passed my door, and I could not resist the temptation to open it slightly and peep through. I saw the backs of Etienne and Leon.
Moreover I heard their words.
“But who is she?” Leon was saying.
“Cousin!” That was Etienne.
“That’s a new idea. She’s the new mistress, I suppose.”
“Somehow I fancy not yet.”
“But she will be … and that before long. It’s a new way … bringing them into the chateau.”
I shut the door and locked it with trembling fingers. Then I went and sat down at the mirror. I stared at my reflection in horror for some moments. Then I said aloud: “You must leave as soon as possible.”
I slept little that night. What I had overheard had shocked me so deeply that I was trying to convince myself that I had misconstrued the men’s meaning. But knowing what I did of the Comte I could see that their conclusions could be logical enough. What should I do? I had burned my boats, having sold the furniture of the schoolhouse and given it up. Quite clearly I should never have left England; I should have realized why the Comte was interested in me. I knew well enough the kind of man he was. Yet when he had suggested I go with Margot the proposition had seemed reasonable. Margot had needed someone to look after her and help her through her ordeal and I seemed to fall naturally into the part. I had believed that when I came to the chateau I should be a companion to her, living as I had heard companions and governesses did in their own quarters somewhere between those of the servants and those of their employers. I had imagined that in a year or so, after Margot married, I should have saved enough money and gained in poise and experience, to return to England, open a school and specialize in teaching French.
Perhaps by that time, I had thought, Joel Derringham would have made a suitable marriage and Sir John and Lady Derringham having realized that what they would think of as that ‘little bit of folly’ was over, would send me pupils.
But the attitude of the Comte and the comments I had overheard, made it very clear that I must get away.
When I heard the house stirring I arose and unlocked my door, and in due course a servant appeared with hot water.
I washed and dressed in the ruelle and then went to Margot’ room.
She looked refreshed and much calmer and because of that I thought it better to come straight to the point.
“Margot,” I said, “I think my position here is somewhat anomalous.”
What? ” she cried.
“I mean it is irregular.”
“What do you mean? What is your position here?”
“That is what I must ascertain. I thought I was coming here to take a position. I am being paid to be your companion and help you through this difficult time and teach you English But I find myself a cousin and treated like a guest.”