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.