‘Perhaps something bad,’ said Margot dreamily, draping the ribbon over her left wrist and tying it there. She noticed, distantly, that the box was almost empty, which did not seem right. Only the little bottle, filled with Pharamond’s elixir for Oriane, was left; had there not been some other things in there? Florian’s neckcloth, for one. She thought to ask Sylvaine about it, but the other woman was already halfway up the stairs, talking all the while.
Margot put the elixir-bottle into her skirt.
‘Yes,’ agreed Sylvaine. ‘That is the way of everything, is it not? And then, you know, we might also be…’ She hesitated. She had gone out of sight, now, and Margot heard only her voice drifting back down the stairs.
‘Be what?’ prompted Margot, ascending after her.
‘Oh, changed!’ said Sylvaine.
