The Emperor by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Author:Cynthia Harrod-Eagles [Harrod-Eagles, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

*

Héloïse went back to the school several times while the enquiries were going on, to reassure Mathilde that she was not forgotten, and found out a little more of her story.

‘We lived with Uncle Ernst and Aunt Anna, in a big house in Leipzig,' she said in her hesitant French. 'That was many years past. Then Papa took us away. We went to a school in Antwerp. He said he would come back, but he didn't come.'

‘Before Leipzig, do you remember where you lived?' Héloïse asked. ‘Do you remember Paris?' She took her head. ‘Do you remember the boat that took you from France? You were with me, and Marie, and Karellie, and baby Clothilde. Do you remember Clothilde?' Again the shake of the head.

‘I think I was in France once, because at the school they say we are French, but I don't remember it.' She frowned. 'I didn't like the school. They are not nice.'

‘And how did you come to leave the school?'

‘There was – ' She hesitated, seeking the words. ‘No money. And a letter. They say, "You go to England". Then the boat, and – ' She made a gesture expressive of catastrophe. 'In England they take me to a place and another place and the school. I ask for Karellie, and no-one knows.'

‘When the boat was wrecked, in England, what happened to him? Was he with you in the first place that you went to?' But Mathilde only shook her head, seeming to have no language for more detail. Héloïse thought that having been in two disastrous shipwrecks in her short life had perhaps affected her memory, making her shut out the horror and tragedy.

At the end of February the day came when Héloïse was able to take her back with her to Chelmsford House. The place, its size and the number of servants, awed the child to the brink of tears, and it was Kithra who saved the day by frisking up to her and nudging her in a friendly way, inviting her to play. Marie took advantage of the moment to put an arm round her shoulder and take her and the dog upstairs to the nursery, where Bobbie's nurses were ready and eager for an increase in their duties.

Viens avec moi, Mathilde, chèrie. Tu to rappelles de moi?'

‘ Non, madame.’

Mais si! Je suis Marie. Je t'ai connue a Paris — ‘

Talking cheerfully she coaxed the child upstairs, and Charles smiled. 'It won't be long at that rate before she has learnt enough French for you to begin to teach her English.'

‘Oh, but cousin, it is only to reassure her that we speak in French. When she is settled, we shall speak English, of course.'

‘I know, I was only teasing you. Well, now I suppose we had better put matters in hand to make her your legal ward. You are sure you want it?'

‘Why not?' said Héloïse.

‘Because I believe you will soon have a child of your own to care for,' Charles said gently. Héloïse blushed scarlet, and he patted her arm.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.