“This is Valmont, your home, Jean-Pierre,” he said in an impressive tone. “The gardens are yours – the land is yours – it all belongs to you!”
“Max wants to run, Mademoiselle,” Jean-Pierre said having apparently not heard his grandfather.
Mademoiselle“He can run when you get into the woods,” Larisa replied quickly. “Listen to what your grandfather is saying to you.”
“He is too young to understand,” Monsieur le Comte said, “but one day he will.”
He relinquished the boy’s hand and walked away moving slowly with his shoulders back and very upright.
‘He is like a soldier going into battle,’ Larisa found herself thinking.
Jean-Pierre was running off with Max in another direction and she followed quickly after him.
The day seemed to pass slowly.
It was difficult to concentrate on Jean-Pi
