Pearl in the Mist (Landry 2)

the promises I had made to Daddy. I had to remain

here to look after Gisselle, as best I could, to succeed

at my art and become a credit to his memory.

Somehow, I would overcome the obstacles Daphne

was sure to place in my path, I vowed, and some day I

would do just what she had said I would do: I would

help Uncle Jean.

I returned to my bed and lay there thinking and

dozing off until I heard Gisselle go to the stairway and

have Edgar help her down to attend the wake. Then I

got down on my knees and recited the prayers I would

have recited at Daddy's coffin.

Martha brought up a tray of food for me, and

even though she had explicit orders from Nina

commanding me to eat, I just picked and nibbled, my appetite gone, my stomach too tight and nervous to

accept much more.

214

Hours later, I heard a gentle knock on my door.

I was lying there in the dark, with just the moonlight

spilling through my window illuminating the room. I

leaned over, flicked on a lamp, and told whoever it

was to enter. It was Beau, with Gisselle right behind

him.

"Daphne doesn't know he's up here," she said

quickly, a capricious smile on her face. How she so

enjoyed doing forbidden things, even if it meant doing

something for me. "Everyone thinks he's wheeling me

around the house. There are so many people here, we

won't be missed. Don't worry."

"Oh Beau, you'd better not stay here. Daphne