Melissa did not wake up until Jarvis and a housemaid, Sarah, brought trays. Even then, although her eyes were open and she sat against the pillows, she continued to give the appearance, Margot thought, of being partially drugged. In fact, her sole moment of full awareness was when Henry and Francine came in to kiss her before they left for Charleston.
A strange moment, strange for its haunting flavor of bittersweet. With Francine no longer hard, but radiating a shy young loveliness in the gown of dairy-gold satin. “She’s you, Melissa,” Henry said. “She’s you back then.”
“Dear—dear Francine—my heart will be with you while you sing. Always with you, dear.”
“Mother. We must start, Mother. I must go.” Unquestionably she was crying, but her back was turned and she rapidly left the room. Henr
