Paris: The Novel

couldn’t. So you bought it.”
    “Not exactly. Marie asked me to buy it for her. She’s going to buy it from me when she can. I didn’t know you liked it too.”
    “She has good taste,” he remarked. “Well, I guess if I can’t have it, I’m glad it’s gone to one of your family.”
    “Marc has talent, of course. How much remains to be seen. But Marie has a very good eye. She’ll have her own collection one day, I’m quite sure.”
    “That’s interesting.”
    Aunt Éloïse smiled.
    “Marie has been brought up to be quiet. But there’s more to her than you think.”
    They talked of his time at Giverny and the work he was planning for that autumn. It was all very pleasant. She didn’t seem to have any other object in inviting him to visit her, but he was certainly glad that he had come.
    He heard a sound at the outer door. Then the maid announced that Marie had arrived.
    “Ah,” said Aunt Éloïse as Marie came into the room. “My dear, you couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. Look who I have here. Our friend Hadley.”
    “So you do,” said Marie, and gave him a delightful smile.
    “Come and sit down,” said her aunt.
    Hadley gazed. Something had changed about Marie. He wasn’t sure what, but she was different. She was looking wonderfully well, but there was a little glow of confidence in her manner. In some undefinable way, the girl with the blue eyes and the golden curls had suddenly become a confident young woman.
    She hadn’t gotten married in the last week. And he was quite sure shehadn’t been having an affair. But whatever it was, he suddenly realized that Marie was intensely desirable. Had she changed her scent?
    “It seems Hadley wanted your picture of the Gare Saint-Lazare,” Aunt Éloïse remarked.
    “Perhaps we should give it to you,” said Marie.
    “Oh no. You must enjoy it,” he said quickly. “But I shall be content to envy you.”
    Aunt Éloïse mentioned a few of the other paintings in the apartment that Hadley had liked. Then she rose.
    “I must leave you with Marie, Hadley,” she said. “I have something to attend to. But I shall be back in a moment.”
    They sat in silence for a few seconds.
    “Your aunt has a wonderful collection,” said Hadley, still trying to make out what had changed in Marie.
    “Yes.” Marie paused. “Hadley,” she said, “I think I had better tell you, I know all about Marc.”
    “Oh?”
    “The letter, the woman and the baby.”
    “Oh.”
    “My aunt Éloïse decided it was time I grew up.” She smiled. “But don’t tell my parents that I know.”
    “No.”
    “I think in America, it’s different. American girls are not so sheltered.”
    “It’s not that different.”
    “Well, my aunt thinks it’s absurd. I’m quite old enough to be married.”
    “Yes.”
    “But I’m kept in a state of idiotic innocence. So that’s over. Perhaps you disapprove.”
    “Oh, no.”
    “It was very nice of you to take the letter from my brother, the way that you did. I think you’re a very good friend. Though I don’t think he should have done it.”
    “I’d have done the same in his place,” he lied.
    “Are you telling me you have a mistress who’s trying to marry you, and an illegitimate child as well?”
    “No.” He laughed. “Not at all. Neither.”
    “That’s good,” she said.
    Aunt Éloïse reappeared.
    “Shall we have some tea?” she asked.
    “I must go,” said Marie. “I’d like to stay, but I’m on my way to the Rochards’. I only looked in to deliver a message, Aunt Éloïse, that you are invited to lunch on Sunday. And as I have found you, Monsieur Hadley, would you please tell my brother he should also come? You are invited too.”
    “That’s very kind.”
    “Until Sunday then.” She kissed her aunt, and was gone.
    After tea, Hadley rose to leave. He thanked Éloïse for a delightful time.
    “I’m glad you like my pictures,” she said.
    “Very much.” He paused at the door. “I was rather amazed at the change in Marie.”
    “Well, it’s time she married. So it’s not too soon for her to … wake up. She’s a lovely young woman. Don’t you think?”
    “Yes.”
    “Perhaps.” She spoke very quietly, but he was sure he heard her say: “Perhaps you should wake up too.”

    Aunt Éloïse was pleased. The family lunch was going well. Everyone seemed to be getting on very well. Even Gérard was being pleasant. Marie was looking radiant. And if she was not much mistaken, Éloïse