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The shops were different from those in the big towns. Purchasing was a lengthy matter and one was expected to consider a good deal before buying even the smallest purchase. A hasty transaction would be frowned on and a lot of pleasure denied both vendor and purchaser by such a process.

One of my favourite shops was that of the grocer-druggist who sold so many aromatic goods. There was cinnamon, oil, paint, brandy, herbs of all kinds (hung drying from the beams of the ceiling), preserves, ground pepper and poisons such as arsenic and aqua fortis; and there was of course the omnipresent garlic. There were tall stools in his shop where one could sit and talk. to the owner who often acted as a doctor and told people what to take for this and that ailment.

What a delightful adventure it seemed during those warm sunny days to go into the town and exchange pleasantries with the people one met-not a cloud in that blue sky, no trace of what was below the horizon.

Alas, the horizon was not very far away and inevitably creeping nearer.

Only rarely did a carriage come rattling through the town. They were days to remember. I was sitting in the square one day when one came through. The visitors left their carriage and came into the inn for refreshment. I watched them-nobility by their dress and manners, a little watchful, unsure of their reception. They went into the inn-two men and a woman and two grooms followed them keeping close in case there was trouble. The inn sign creaked Le Roi Soleil. And, there was Louis in all his splendour looking haughtily down on the street. I sat waiting until they emerged refreshed with wine and. j those creamy confections of which I was becoming fond. I They were talking together. Scraps of their conversation! came to me.

“What a lovely spot! Like old times …” Their carriage drove away. The dust settled after them. Yes, they had discovered our oasis, i I went thoughtfully back to the chateau and I had not been in very long when Margot came to me. Some plan was afoot I knew by the way in which she scintillated with excitement.

“Something wonderful is going to happen,” she announced.

For a moment I thought she was going to tell me she was to have a child. Then I realized it was too early yet. Her next words astonished and alarmed me.

“Chariot is coming here.”

“What?”

“Don’t look so amazed. Isn’t it the most natural thing? Shouldn’t my baby be with me?”

“You have told Robert and he has agreed …”

“Told Robert! Do you think I’m crazy! Of course I haven’t told Robert.

I’ve been reading the Bible and then the idea came to me. It was divine assistance. God has shown me the way. “

“May I share in this divine secret?”

“You remember Moses in the bulrushes. The dear little baby. His mother put him in a cradle and hid him there … just as my little Chariot shall be hidden.”

“It is nothing like Moses in the bulrushes.”

“It gave me the idea anyway. I know that Yvette will help. You have to help me too. You are to find him.”

“I don’t understand what you are talking about, Margot.”

“Of course you don’t because you keep on interrupting. The plan is … and it’s such a good one … it can’t fail … the plan is that Yvette places the baby … not in the bulrushes because we haven’t any … but outside the chateau. He’ll be in a basket looking adorable. Someone will find him and I have decided it shall be you.

You’ll bring him into the castle and say: “I have found a baby. What are we going to do with him?” I shall seize on him and love him from the moment I set eyes on him. I shall plead with Robert to let me keep him . and in his present state he can deny me nothing. So I shall have Chariot. “

“You can’t do this, Margot.”

“Why not? Tell me why not.”

“It’s bad enough as it is but this is a double deceit.”

“I don’t care if it’s a hundredth deceit if it brings me Chariot.”

I was thoughtful. I could see it happening. It could work. It was simple though ingenious. But Margot had forgotten that it was already known to Bessell and Mimi that she had had a child.

I said: “You will be running greater risks.” } “Minelle,” she said dramatically, “I am a mother.”

I closed my eyes and visualized it. I was to be the one to find the child. Someone in the plan must do that. It was too hazardous to be left until the child was found naturally.

“Yvette …” I began.

“I have arranged it with Yvette, telling her what I want.”

“And she is agreeable?”

“You forget Chariot is my baby.”

“Yes, but she agreed to keep it away from you. That was what your father ordered.”

“For once I don’t care what my father ordered. Chariot is my baby and I can’t live without him. Besides, the plan doesn’t end there.

Remember the mother of the baby in the bulrushes. “

“Yes,” I answered.

“She came to the princess and was the baby’s nurse. Well, that is what Yvette shall be. I shall have to engage a nurse for the baby and I will think of my own nurse Yvette who strangely enough is on a visit nearby. She was coming to see me. It is like an act of God.”

“A little too much coincidence to ring true.”

“Life is full of coincidences and this is only a little one. Yvette comes. She loves the baby on sight and when I say:

“Yvette, you must come and be nurse to this dear little foundling boy whom I have adopted as my son and call Chariot after my father…”

“Perhaps your husband might think he should be called after him,” “I shall refuse.

“No, dear Robert,” I shall say.

“Your name is for our first-born son.” “Margot, you practise deceit with an amazing skill.”

“It is a useful gift and carries one through life with a certain ease.”

“Honesty would be more commendable.”

Are you suggesting that I should go to Robert and say:

“I took a lover before I knew you. I thought I should marry him and Chariot is the result.” You would not have me so unkind to Robert.”

“Margot, you are incorrigible. I can only hope this plan will succeed.”

“Of course it will. We will make sure it does. Your part is easy. You just find him.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning. “

“Tomorrow! “

There is no point in delay. Go down tomorrow morning early. Yvette will not leave him until she sees you. She will be hiding in the shrubbery. You were restless and could not sleep, so you decided to take a breath of fresh air. Then as you walked in the gardens, you heard a baby cry. You found the basket. The adorable Chariot looked up at you and smiled. You lost your hean to him at once and persuaded me to keep him. “

“Are you going to need a great deal of persuasion?”

“I shall have to consult with my husband. I might weep a little, but I think he is going to be ready to grant my wishes and that he will agree right away. He’ll love Chariot. He longs for us to have a baby.”

“Other people’s are not always so desirable to a man as his own. And I presume he is not to know it is yours.”

“Good heavens, no. And please don’t refer to Chariot as ” it”.”