*Ella*
When I get back to my room, I eye the cord that would summon Rosalie to prepare me for bed, but I don’t feel sleepy in the least.
Images jump through my mind… memories of my mother’s wistful face at the sight of my father, of his polite courtesy toward her. Could it be that he was still in love with Henry? Or did he then fall in love with Minna?
My heart feels wrenched between my mother’s sadness and Henry’s, between the romance of young love and irritation at my father for allowing himself to be bought.
Finally, I decide to take the dogs out for a walk. I calm Jaq by fixing my eye on him, and then give him a cheese bit once he stops barking.
The great drawing room is still blazing with light as I enter the inner courtyard, the dogs pulling ahead. I walk the other direction, st
