With a little cry she ran up the stairs and without even knocking burst into Aimée’s bedroom.
The maid was already there, pulling back the curtains and, as Yola stood beside the bed, Aimée looked up at her with sleepy eyes.
“What is it?”
“I have won! Oh, Aimée, I have won!” Yola cried. “Leo has been here. He has asked me to marry him!”
Aimée sat up in bed.
“He has asked you to marry him? Yola, how wonderful!”
“I had decided I should go home and never see him again, but now everything has changed – everything will be perfect!”
“I am so happy for you,” Aimée said, but there was just a hint of wistfulness in her voice.
Yola put her arms round her and kissed her.
“Everything will come right for you too,” she said. “I am sure of it. Thank you – thank you for all your kindness!”
She ki
