"Do I really look better? I feel it. It's been a delightful change, and of course one's family do appreciate one. It's like renewing one's girlhood."
"What an affected speech!" thought Madame Claire. "Louise has something on her mind." She then said aloud:
"It amuses me to hear you talk about renewing your girlhood. How old are you? I've a dreadful memory for these things. Thirty-five? Ridiculously young. I always feel you don't make the most of your youth and good looks."
Louise gave a few touches to her hair before a mirror, and took a chair on the other side of the fireplace. There was something very restful about this room of Madame Claire's. And her mother-in-law was a woman without prejudices, even where her own children were concerned. She felt she had done the right thing in coming to her.
"Would you be surprised to hear that I am going to turn over a new leaf? I feel I've been very much to blame. I've allowed myself to play third fiddle long enough."
"Good!" said Madame Claire. "And what else?"
"And," went on the younger woman, with a
