These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘I do not at all understand why you do not like –’

‘Provoking creature! I insist on your silence! Rachel, take those – those garments away this instant! I declare I will not have them in my room.’

‘They shall not be burned!’ said Léonie challengingly.

Fanny encountered the fierce glance and gave vent to a little titter.

‘Oh, as you will, my love! Put them in a box, Rachel, and convey them to Mistress Léonie’s apartment. Léonie, I will have you look at yourself ! Tell me, is it not a modish creation?’ She went to the girl and twitched the heavy folds of silk into position.

Léonie regarded her reflection again.

‘I think I have grown,’ she said. ‘What will happen if I move, madame?’

‘Why, what should happen?’ asked Fanny, staring.

Léonie shook her head dubiously.

‘I think something will burst, madame. Me perhaps.’

Fanny laughed.

‘What nonsense! Why, ’tis laced so loosely that it might almost fall off you! Nay, never pick your skirts up so! Oh, heaven, child, you must not show your legs! ’Tis positively indecent!’

‘Bah!’ said Léonie, and gathering up her skirts, walked carefully across the room. ‘Certainly I shall burst,’ she sighed. ‘I shall tell Monseigneur that I cannot wear women’s clothes. It is as though I were in a cage.’

‘Don’t say you’ll – burst – again!’ implored Fanny. ‘’Tis a most unladylike expression.’

Léonie paused in her perambulations to and fro.

‘Am I a lady?’ she inquired.

‘Of course you are! What else?’

The roguish dimple peeped out for the first time, and the blue eyes danced.

‘Well, what now? Is it so funny?’ asked Fanny, a trifle peevishly.

Léonie nodded.

‘But yes, madame. And – and very perplexing.’ She came back to the mirror, and bowed to her own reflection. ‘Bonjour, Mademoiselle de Bonnard! Peste, qu’elle est ridicule! ’

‘Who?’ demanded Fanny.

Léonie pointed a scornful finger at herself.

‘That silly creature.’

‘’Tis yourself.’

‘No! ’ said Léonie with conviction. ‘Never!’

‘You are most provoking!’ cried Fanny. ‘I have been at pains to dress you in my prettiest gown – yes, the very prettiest, though to be sure it became me not – and you say ’tis silly!’

‘But no, madame. It is I who am silly. Could I not keep my breeches just for to-night?’

Fanny clapped her hands to her ears.

‘I positively will not listen. Don’t dare to mention that word to Edward, I implore you!’