Looking at Madame Renazé now, Yola realised that there was a softness and gentleness in her expression that she had never known in her mother’s.
Equally she knew that Madame had an intelligence and perhaps a wit that must have delighted her father.
There had been a short silence, as if the two women were appraising each other. Then Madame Renazé said,
“Will you tell me, mademoiselle, how I can help you? You know that you have only to ask me for anything that is within my power to give.”
“May I say first that I hope you will call me ‘Yola’,” Yola replied. “The only person who has ever called me that was Papa, but I feel that is how he spoke of me to you.”
“He did indeed,” Madame Renazé replied, “and he was so proud of you and made so many plans for your future.”
“Did he ever speak to
