‘Hélène,’ Rosalie exclaimed. ‘Come in, chérie.’ She patted the place on the sofa next to her. ‘Come and talk to me.’ She had seen Simon arrive and depart and had guessed the purpose of his visit. If she was surprised he had decided to propose so soon, she would not say so to Hélène. However, she did want to introduce the subject of his visit, so she said, ‘Was that Simon Barnier I saw riding down the drive?’

‘Yes, Maman,’ Hélène answered.

‘What did he want?’

Hélène looked across at her mother and said, ‘I think you know, Maman. He has already spoken to Papa and I’m sure you know that he has.’

‘I see.’ Rosalie smiled at her. ‘So, don’t keep me in suspense. What did he say to you?’

‘He asked me to marry him.’

‘And what did you say?’

‘I said it was very sudden and I wasn’t thinking of marriage.’

‘A very good answer,’ said Rosalie. ‘It would not have been proper to accept him at once, and without reference to your papa.’

‘He says he already has Papa’s permission to speak to me,’ Hélène said. ‘But no one thought to ask me what I think about the idea. I have no intention of marrying anyone and now I have to tell him so. If Papa had asked me, he could have headed him off before he knelt down and asked me to be his wife.’

‘I’m sure his offer was unexpected,’ said her mother gently, ‘but I think you should not dismiss it out of hand, my dear. Take time to consider the advantages of such a match. You would have a loving husband and be mistress of your own establishment. Your position in society would be assured.’

‘But I don’t love him, Maman.’

‘My darling, that will surely come in time, and over the years you’ll grow together. You’ll start a family and your children will bring you joy.’

‘You loved Papa when you married him,’ Hélène said, then added with a perception her mother had not expected, ‘but you have grown apart.’

For a moment Rosalie knew a pang as she remembered the bitterness in Mademoiselle Corbine’s eyes when Emile had terminated her employment. ‘I loved him dearly when we married,’ Rosalie replied, ‘and I still do, but as you grow older it becomes a different kind of love. You don’t have to be passionately in love to have a good and happy marriage. Indeed, it is sometimes better to have a union based on friendship.’

‘That’s what Simon said,’ Hélène admitted reluctantly.

‘It isn’t a bad basis for marriage,’ said Rosalie. She reached out and took Hélène’s hand and continued, ‘All I’m asking you to do is to take the time to consider Simon’s proposal. He’s an eligible young man with whom I think you could be happy. Give the idea some time and thought before you give him your answer.’

Chapter 36

The date of Hélène’s marriage with Simon Barnier was set for the beginning of February. Gradually, over the weeks that followed Simon’s initial proposal, she had been worn down in her refusal by both her parents and Simon himself.