“It is delightful of you to offer hospitality and I should be very pleased to take advantage of it.”
“Minelle,” said Margot imperiously, ‘you will entertain our guest while I make arrangements for his room to be prepared. What of refreshment, Joel? We dine at six. “
“I have had something at an inn and shall be quite happy until six, thank you.”
We sat down and when we were alone he looked at me steadily.
“It is good to see you again,” he said.
“Much has happened since our last meeting,” I replied rather tritely.
“A great deal. I was sorry to leave so abruptly.”
“Oh, I understand.”
“How did you come to leave England?”
My mother died, as you know, and the school did not prosper without her. It seemed a solution to come with Margot when the opportunity was offered to me. “
He nodded.
“You have changed little, Minella. Your mother’s death was a great blow to you, I know.”
The greatest I ever suffered. “
He winced slightly and I realized I had told him that his abrupt departure had not affected me so much.
“She was a wonderful woman,” he said.
“My father was always talking of her.”
But not so wonderful, I thought, that her daughter could be considered worthy of his son. Not that I would have taken him, I assured myself haughtily. But how pleased my dear mother would have been had that union been possible.
“Have you enjoyed your tour?” I asked.
“It is not yet over.”
“I thought you were on your way home.”
“By no means. It was simply that I heard you were in France and I very much wanted to see you. This country is a boiling cauldron of discontent.”
“I know. One can’t live here without being aware of it.”
“It is not the safest place in the world for a young Englishwoman.”
“That’s true enough.”
“You should not stay here. I cannot understand why the Comte has not arranged for your return to England.”
I said nothing.
Margot returned.
“I will show you your room. I am sure you will wish to wash and perhaps change. You have, brought a manservant with you, I see. He is being looked after. I am so pleased you have come. I am sure Minelle is too.”
She looked at me a little mischievously and then she took him to his room.
I went to my own. I was really quite shaken by my enounter with him.
It brought back memories of home. I could see my mother clearly, her eyes dancing with excitement as she showed me the handsome riding kit spread out on the bed.
It was not long before Margot appeared. She sat in her favourite chair facing the mirror so that she could admire her reflection as she talked.
“He is more handsome than ever,” she cried.
“Did you not think so?”
“He was always considered to be good-looking.”
He is a very pleasant young man. I have a special interest in him because at one time they had decided that I might marry him. “
“You are glad you didn’t?”
“I wonder what he would have said about Chariot? I don’t think he would have been quite as lenient as Robert, do you?”
I have no idea. “
“Oh, haughty! The fact was, if I remember rightly, that he was quite interested in you. Wasn’t that the reason why he was sent off in a hurry?”
“That’s all in the past.”
“But the past is revived, Minelle. He has revived it by putting in an appearance. I like him. I am sure Robert will be jealous when he hears I was once meant for him. But then I shall tell him where Joel’s true fancy lies. I believe he has come here just to see you.”
“Nonsense.”
“Very unconvincingly said. I thought you always prided yourself on your adherence to the truth and logic. Of course he has come to see you.” She was serious suddenly.
“Oh, Minelle, it’s the right thing it is really. If he wants to take you home to England you should go.”
Do you want to be rid of me? “
“What a cruel thing to say. You know I’d hate you to go. I’m not thinking of myself.”
“A novel experience for you.”
“Stop this silly bantering. It’s serious. Things are bad here. There’s going to be an explosion at any minute. What do you think is happening? What of my father? I knew how he feels about you … and you about him. You’re a fool, Minelle. You don’t know him. I told you from the first he’s got the devil in him. He’s no good to any woman.” “Margot, stop it.”
“I won’t. I’m worried about you. We have been through the Chariot affair together. I’m fond of you. I want you to be happy … like I am. I want you to know what it means to marry a good man. If you marry Joel Derringham you’ll have a good life. You know you will.”
“Shouldn’t we wait until he asks me? He hasn’t, you know, and he showed clearly not so long ago that as people were thinking along those lines it would be well for him to get away.”
That was his people. Silly ideas they have. “
“But he must have agreed to go.”
“He did it because he’d always obeyed them. Now he’s grown up he’s changed his mind.”
“You do run on, Margot. You always did. He is merely paying a visit to old friends. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?”
She came to me and took my hand. Then she kissed me gently on the cheek.
“I know I’m a selfish butterfly, but there are people I love. Chariot, Robert and you, Minelle. I want you to be happy. I’ll come to England and your children and mine shall play together in the gardens of Derringham Manor. You’ll come to Grasseville and when we’re old we’ll talk about these days and we’ll laugh and laugh and live them again in our memories. That’s how I want it to be. That’s the best way. In your heart you know it. Oh, I am so glad he has come.”
Then she kissed me swiftly on the cheek and ran from the room.
We rode together, Joel and I. We talked of old times. How it brought it all back ! It filled me with a bitter-sweet nostalgia. Those happy days when a new ribbon for a dress was so important, and my mother and I used to sit on our little patch of lawn and talk about the future.
“I know how you miss her,” Joel said.
“You were wise to get away, although it is unfortunate that you should come to this country at this time. But to have stayed in the schoolhouse would have meant you kept your sad memories with you.”
“When are you returning home?”
“Any time now … perhaps sooner than I had thought.”
“Your family will not wish you to be in France just now, I am sure.”
“No. As a matter of fact several people I know are making hasty plans to leave. Here in this rather remote country spot you have no idea how quickly the situation has been changing and for the worse. I believe the Court is rapidly diminishing. People are finding excuses for leaving Versailles.”
“It sounds ominous.”
“Indeed, yes. Minelle, you must come back to England.”
Where should I go? “
“You could come with me.”
I raised my eyebrows and said: “Where to?”
“I have been thinking about this ever since I left. I was a fool to go. I don’t know why I did. I kept asking myself that for months. Then I promised myself that I would break right away and make new interests, but I couldn’t. The fact is, Minella, I have been thinking of you every day since I last saw you. I know now that I shall go on doing that. I want you to marry me.”
“What of your family?”
They will come round. My father has never been harsh. Nor has my mother. Before anything, they want my happiness. “
I shook my head.
“It wouldn’t be wise. There would be opposition. I should not be accepted.”