It occurred to me that he was as apprehensive as Margot and I warmed to him. He talked to me for a while, about horses mainly and the countryside; and Margot was brought to us by her partner in the dance.
She said: “So you have met our cousin. Monsieur de Grasseville?”
It seemed a formal mode of address when they were to be married shortly but it appeared to be correct. He replied that meeting me had been a great pleasure.
The Comte whispered: “I regret I must leave you now. I shall see you later.”
“Let us go in to supper,” suggested Margot. She turned to me. The announcement will be made during it. Minelle, you must come with us.
You and Robert must be friends. “
I was relieved because I could see that she was accepting Robert and prepared to get to know him. I could not, of course, say that they had fallen in love with each other at first sight. That would have been too much to expect; but at least they had not made up their minds to dislike each other.
People were moving towards the new hall where the buffet was laid out, and the elegance of the display again surprised me.
I had never seen food so artistically arranged. There was an abundance of everything and the butlers and footmen in the coloured livery of the Fontaine Delibes household looked as if they were part of the scene, There was wine which I knew came from the Comte’s own vineyards; and I remembered the hungry peasants who were not far away and was relieved that they could not see that table. I looked round for Leon, for I wondered whether the same thought had occurred to him, but I could not see him. I did see Gabrielle, though, with her brother. Gabrielle looked very handsome in a sparkling gown, too flamboyant for my liking, but becoming to her bold good looks. I think Etienne, who was with her, was proud of her.
We sat down at one of the tables near a window. There was Robert, Margot and another young man, a friend of Robert’s.
Conversation was light and easy and I noticed with another rush of relief that Marguerite was not unhappy. Once she had grown accustomed to the idea that a husband would be chosen for her-which she had been brought up to know she must accept-she could not have envisaged a young man more charming than Robert de Grasseville.
During supper the Comte made the announcement. It was received with applause and Margot and Robert went to stand beside him and receive congratulations. I remained at the table talking to my companion, and it was only a few minutes later that a noise behind me made me turn. I was very close to the window and I saw a face there . looking in.
I thought it was Leon’s.
The face disappeared and I was still looking out of the window when a heavy stone struck the glass, shattering it, and came hurtling into the room.
There was a brief silence, then cries of dismay and the sound of breaking glass and crockery.
I stood back horrified. The Comte had rushed to the window and was looking out. Then he shouted to the footman.
“Have the grounds searched. Get out the dogs.”
There was a babel of talk for a few seconds. Then the Comte spoke again.
“It’s apparently nothing much. Some mischievous person at his tricks. Let us carry on as though this tiresome incident had not occurred.”
It was like a command and I was amazed at the manner in which people such as these seemed to obey him without question.
I sat back in my chair. It was the recurring theme, I knew. The dissatisfaction of those who lacked the means to live comfortably, the anger and envy against those who indulged in extravagances.
What was disturbing me more than anything was the memory of the brief glimpse of a face. It couldn’t have been Leon’s.
My companion was saying: They’re making a practice of it. It happened only last week at the DeCourcys’. I was dining there and a stone came right through the window. But that was Paris. “
I saw Leon coming towards me and I felt my heart begin to beat furiously.
“A nasty incident,” he said, taking the chair opposite me.
I glanced at his shoes. They were immaculate. It seemed impossible that a few minutes ago he could have been outside. It had been raining during the day and the grass was still wet, so surely there would have been some sign.
“I hope you were not frightened,” he said to me.
“It happened so quickly.”
“But you were very near the window. In the first line of fire.”
“Who could have done it?” I’ demanded, looking full at him.
“What good could it do?”
“A few years ago one would have said some maniac. Now it is not so.
It’s just another expression of the people’s disapproval. Let us go back to the old hall. They are dancing there. “
I said goodbye to my companion at the table and we went up to the old hall. I felt relieved. I had been mistaken. It could not have been Leon.
I was glad because I was beginning to like him a good deal.
I had retired to my room. My dress lay on the bed and my hair was loose about my shoulders when there was a knock on my door.
I sprang to my feet, thinking for a fearful moment that it might be the Comte.
Margot came in.
“Oh, you are undressed,” she said.
“I had to talk to you, though. I must. I shall never sleep tonight. “
She sat on my bed.
“What did you think of him, Minelle?”
“Robert? Oh, I thought him charming.”
“So did I. It was fun, wasn’t it? I thought he was going to be awful.
You’re right . but of course you are always right, aren’t you. At least you think so. But if you build up a horrible picture you can be agreeably surprised. But I should have liked him anyway. When I was dancing with him I wished . oh, how I wished . that I had never fallen in love with James Wedder. “
“It’s no use wishing that. It’s done and you have to forget it.”
“Do you think I can?”
“Not for ever. It will come back to you sometimes, I suppose.”
“If you’ve made a false step you’ve made it for ever.”
“But it doesn’t do to brood on it.”
“Do you know, Minelle, I think I could forget I had ever seen James Wedder … if it wasn’t for Chariot. What should I do, Minelle? Should I tell Robert?”
I was silent. How could I advise on such a matter? How could I know which would be best for her and Robert’s happiness?
I compromised.
“You should do nothing yet, I think. Wait awhile. In time you and Robert will come to understand each other. Friendship, love, tolerance, all those will grow up between you and when the right times come to tell, perhaps you will know.”
“And Chariot?”
“He is well cared for. I am sure of that.”
“But how can I know? If only I could see him.”
“Well, that’s impossible.”
“You talk like Annette. Nothing is impossible. I shall go to Paris soon. Yes, I shall. I’m going to stay at Papa’s house there and we shall entertain the Grassevilles and then I shall come back here and we’ll be married. You will come to Paris with me. There could be an opportunity then.”
“What are you thinking of?”
“I mean an opportunity of finding Chariot. If I could be convinced that he is well and happy and people are kind to him it would be different.”
“But how could you? You don’t know where he is.”
“We could find out. You and I … we’ll do it, Minelle. Yes, we will.
We will go on a visit to someone . dear old Yvette who used to help Nou-Nou in the nursery. I could go and see her and you could come with me. “
“We should never be allowed to go alone.”
“I have a plan. I have been thinking of it. We could take my maid Mimi and Bessell the groom. Mimi and Bessell are lovers and plan to marry.