Ruby (Landry 1)

some roommate." She rose gracefully from the high

back chair and shook her head slightly as she gazed at

me. "What a Mardi Gras evening this turned out to

be." She turned to Pierre. "You're positive about all

this. This is what you want to do?"

"Yes, darling. With your full cooperation and

guidance, that is," he said, rising. He kissed her on the

cheek. "I guess I'll have to make it all up to you

doubly now," he added. She looked into his eyes and

gave him a small, tight smile.

"The cash register has been ringing for the last

five minutes without a pause," she said, and he

laughed. Then he kissed her gently on the lips. From

the way he gazed at her, I could see how important it

was for him to please her. She appeared to bask in the

glow of his devotion. After a moment she turned to

leave. At the doorway, she paused.

"You will be telling it all to Gisselle?" "In a few minutes," he said.

"I'm going to bed. This has all been too shocking and has drained me of most of my energy right now," she complained. "But I want to have the

strength for Gisselle in the morning."

"Of course," my father said.

"I'll see to her room," Daphne declared and left

us.

"Sit down. Please," my father asked. I took my

seat again and he sat down, too. "You want something

to drink . . . eat?"

"No, I'm fine. Nina gave me something to drink

before."

"One of her magical recipes?" he asked,

smiling.