Poor Lucien! He has a grievance. I think he has never forgiven the family of Fontaine Delibes. “

What did they do to him? “

“It is not what they did to him but what was done to his father. Jean Christophe Dubois was incarcerated in the Bastille and died there.”

“For what reason?”

“Because the Comte-the present one’s father-wanted Jean Christophe’s wife-that was the mother of Lucien and Gabrielle. She was a beautiful woman. Gabrielle has inherited her looks. There is such a thing called a lettre de cachet. This could be acquired by influential people and through it they could have their enemies imprisoned. The victims would never know the reason for their detention. The lettre was enough to put them there. It is an iniquitous practice. The very words lettre de cachet can strike terror, into the heart of any man. There is no redress against it. Of course the Comtes Fontaine Delibes had always had a foot in Court circles and those of the Parlement. Their influence and their power was -and is-great. The present Comte’s father wanted this woman, her husband objected and was preparing to take her away. Then one night a messenger arrived at his home. He carried a lettre de cachet. Jean Christophe was never seen again.”

“How cruel!”

The times are cruel. It is for that reason that the people are determined to change them. “

Then it is time they did. “

“It takes more than a few weeks to set right the errors of centuries.

Jean Christophe had a son and daughter. The Comte died three years after he had taken Jean Christophe’s wife and there was a new Comte, Charles Auguste, the present one. Gabrielle was a young widow of eighteen years. She came to plead for her father. Charles Auguste was struck by her beauty and elegance. He was very young then and impressionable. It was too late. Jean Christophe died in prison before his release could be brought about. However, Charles Auguste had fallen in love with Gabrielle and a year after their meeting Etienne was born. “

“I am amazed by the drama which seemed to surround the castle.”

“Where the Comtes Fontaine Delibes are there will always be drama.”

“Gabrielle at least forgave the injury done to her father.”

“Yes, but I fancy it may be different with Lucien. I often think he harbours resentment.”

As we rode on to the chateau I could not stop thinking of the poor man who had been ruthlessly condemned to spend the last years of his life in a prison because another wished him out of the way, and it seemed to me that intrigue and drama which would previously have been beyond my conception was building up around me.

Margot called me to her room. She looked radiant and I marvelled at the manner in which she could change from depression to excitement.

On her bed were several rolls of material.

“Come and look at these, Minelle,” she cried.

I examined them. There was a roll of velvet of the fashionable puce colour with gold lace and another in a beautiful shade of blue with silver lace.

“You are going to have some fine dresses,” I commented.

“I am going to have one. The other will be for you. I chose the blue for you and the silver goes with it perfectly. There is going to be a ball and my father’s instructions are that I look my best.”

I fingered the blue velvet and said: I cannot accept such a gift. “

“Don’t be silly, Minelle. How can you go to the ball in what you have brought with you?”

“I obviously can’t. But there is an alternative. I shall stay away.”

Margot stamped her foot impatiently.

“You will not be allowed to. You are to, go. It is for this reason that you are to have the dress.”

“I did not know when I accepted this post that I was to be a … bogus cousin. I came as companion to you.”

Margot burst out laughing.

“You must be the first person in any post who has complained of being treated too well. Of course you must go to the ball. I need a chaperone, don’t I?”

“You talk foolishly. How could you need a chaperone at a ball which your parents will be giving?”

“One parent. I don’t suppose Mama will be present. She will, as Papa says, have the vapours ready for such an occasion.”

“That is not a kind remark, Margot.”

“Oh, stop being the prim old schoolmistress. You’re not that any more.” She picked up the puce-coloured velvet and, draping it round her, paraded in front of the mirror.

“Is it not magnificent? What a colour! It’s just right for me. Don’t you agree, Minelle? And are you not pleased to see me happier?”

“I am amazed that you can change so quickly.”

“I haven’t really changed. I still mourn in my heart for Chariot.

There is a sadness down here. ” She pointed to her breast.

“But I can’t be sad all the time and loving a ball and a new gown does not make me love my baby any less.”

She threw her arms about me and for a few moments we clung together. I think in that moment, for all my air of worldliness, I was as bewildered as she was.

“I don’t think I can accept the gown, Margot,” I said at length.

“Why not? It’s wages, surely.”

“I have my wages. This is different.”

“Papa will be furious and he has been so good-tempered lately. He personally told me I must choose for us both and then he went on to suggest the colours, which is typical of him. I am sure he would be most displeased if I had ” chosen” anything but what he suggested.”

“I think it would be quite wrong for me to accept this.”

“Annette, our dressmaker, is coming this afternoon to start work.”

I decided that I must see the Comte and also prepare myself to leave.

I had discovered too much about him and his way of life to feel happy in his household. I could not throw off the upbringing of a lifetime in a few short months.

Moreover, I was sure that my mother’s principles of life had more to recommend them than those which I had discovered prevailed at the chateau.

I learned that at this hour the Comte was generally in the library where he did not like to be disturbed. But I decided to brave his displeasure, for if he were displeased with me it would be easier to arrange my departure.

But he seemed far from displeased to see me. He rose immediately and, taking both my hands, drew me into the room. He held out a chair for me. I sat and he sat also but not before bringing his chair closer to mine.

“To what,” he said, ‘do I owe this pleasure? “

“I think it is time there was an understanding,” I began, but although I had felt bold and determined before I entered the room my self-possession was fast waning.

“There is nothing I should welcome more. I am sure that one as perceptive as you must be aware of my feelings towards you.”

“Before you say any more, let me tell you that I cannot accept a ball dress from you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I do not consider it…”

“Right and proper!” He raised his eyebrows and I saw the mocking light in his eyes.

“You must explain to me. I am most ignorant on these matters. Tell me what it is right to accept and what not right.”

“I accept my salary because I earn it as a companion to your daughter, for which post I was engaged.”

“Oh, but you became a cousin … a connection of the family. Surely one member of the family can give another a gift … and how much better to give something which is needed rather than some useless bauble.”

“Please, when we are alone let us drop this farce.”

“Yes, let us. The truth is that I am falling in love with you. You know it. So why pretend otherwise.”

I rose to my feet. He was beside me, his arms about me.

“Please let me go,” I said firmly.

“First tell me that you can love me also.”

I do not find this amusing. “

“Oddly enough, although my emotions are so deeply stirred, I do. You both amuse and enchant me. I think that is why I am so excited by you. You are different from anyone I have ever known.”

“Will you grant me one thing.”

“It shall be my pleasure to give you all you ask.”

“Then will you please return to your seat and let me tell you of my feelings.”

“Your request is naturally granted.”

He sat down and I did the same. I felt I must, for my legs were trembling and I was fearful that he might notice how alarmed I was. I clasped my hands firmly and said: I am not of your circle. Monsieur Ie Comte. “

“Charles,” he reproved.

“I cannot call you naturally by your Christian name. You are the Comte to me and always will be. I have been brought up to accept a different code of behaviour, a different set of morals. My outlook is quite opposed to yours. You would find me excessively boring, I am sure.”

It delights me that we can never agree on anything. That is just an added charm. “

“You are suggesting that I become your mistress. I know that you have had many and that to you this is a natural way of life. Can you understand that it is something I could never accept, and for that reason I have decided to return to England? I had thought I would wait until Margot was settled but I see now that that is impossible. What you have implied has made it so. I wish to make preparations to leave immediately.”

“I am afraid I cannot agree to that. You have been engaged to look after my daughter and I expect you to honour your bond.”

“Bond! What bond?”

“What is it? A gentleman’s agreement? Only this time it is between two of the opposing sexes. You could not leave Marguerite now!”

“She would understand.”

“Would she? You saw that display the other night. But why are we talking of her? Let us talk of ourselves. You would overcome your prejudices. I would show you how. You should have an establishment of your own … anything you wished for should be yours.”

“Do you think you could tempt me with establishments?”

“Not with establishments, perhaps.”

I lowered my eyes before his bold and passionate gaze. I was afraid of him-or perhaps more truthfully of myself.

Tell me one thing,” he said.

“If I were in a position to offer you marriage, and did, would you accept?”

I hesitated just too long. Then I said: “Monsieur, I do not know you well enough …”

“And what you have heard, I’ll warrant, has not always been to my advantage.”

“I do not presume to judge.”

“Which is exactly what you are doing.”

“No, I am trying to say that our lives are far apart. I should go back.”

To what? “

“Does that matter?”

“It is going to matter a great deal to you. What will you do, tell me that? Will you go back to your schoolhouse? With Master Joel likely to come home at any time. Not likely.”

“I have a little money…”

“Not enough, my brave darling. I see I have been too rash. I have spoken too soon. You came and caught me off my guard. God knows, I have curbed myself long enough. What do you think I am made of, ice maiden? You were meant for me. I knew it from the moment you came into my bedchamber and when I saw the rose colour creep up from your neck to your forehead. I like to embarrass you, for then I put you at a disadvantage. I like to quarrel with you. I like our battles of words.

There should be a rich climax to our quarrels. I often think of that.

Since I have known you I have no fancy for anyone else. “

“I hope that has not inconvenienced your mistresses.”

“A little, as you can imagine,” he said with a smile.

Then it is time I went and equilibrium was restored. “

He burst into laughter.

“Dearest Minelle, I often think what a fool young Joel was. He could have offered you marriage. Would to God I could! If I could take your hand now and say: Be my wife, I should be the happiest man in France.”

“Meanwhile you congratulate yourself on your inability to do so and save yourself from an act of such folly.”

You and I together . what joy we’d have. I know it. I know women. ”

“You do not have to assure me of that.”

“I sense those hidden depths. Oh Minelle, my love, we would have sons, you and I. You are made to bear sons. Come down from that pedestal and be happy. Let us take the next best thing.”

I cannot remain to listen to more of this. I find it offensive. Your invalid wife is under this very roof. “