She finished the glass in front of her as she spoke and Melita forced herself to drink hers before she followed in the wake of Madame’s rustling gown.
While they were having dinner, she found it difficult to believe that Madame was the same person who had been so rude and disagreeable to her ever since her arrival.
Now she spoke conversationally of the island, of Melita’s father and his distinguished career. She talked about the Empress Josephine and described to Melita her home at Trois Ilets.
“My aunt knew the family well,” Madame said, “and Josephine, I understand, always had a reputation even when she was a girl for being somewhat fast and flirtatious.”
“She certainly had a very distinguished career,” Melita remarked.
“Napoleon, for all his great success in battle, was only a Cors
