“The family continually spoke of her and I learnt that she was an orphan who had been brought up by Monsieur and Madame Calviare as if she was their own daughter.”
He moved restlessly before he continued,
“She was twelve years older than her cousin, and it was, of course, understandable that Cécile should admire the older girl and try to emulate her in every way.”
His lips met in a tight line.
Then he forced himself to go on,
“But that did not concern me because Josephine had her own home and Cécile and I came to live at Vesonne.”
Melita made a little movement. Somehow – she could not think why – it hurt to think of him bringing his bride back to his home.
“Shortly after our marriage my father and mother retired to St. Pierre,” the Comte continued. “He had always found the work on t
