Flora laughed good-humoredly. "You should have seen your air of greatness. But I am speaking seriously. I believe I am the long-lost daughter of a great lord."
Gabrielle stared, amazed. "Really, Flora, really? Are you in earnest? Tell me all about it."
Flora looked like a gypsy sphinx. "Oh, but I may not. I should not have spoken of it at all, but I am so mad and merry at the good news that out it slipped."
Gabrielle softly patted her cheek. "I am glad of anything that makes you happy."
Flora tried to look magnificent. "Do not you envy me? Would not you like to be a great lady, too? I am afraid you look more like it than I do."
Gabrielle spoke again in a whisper: "I will tell you my secret in return for yours. So long as I can be by Henri’s side I envy no one—ask nothing better of fortune."
Flora smiled knowingly. "Do you call that a secret? I have known that ever since I first saw you look at him."
Gabrielle looked pained. "Am I so immodest a minion?"
Flora protested: "No, no. But your eyes are traitors and tell me tales."
"I must be wary," Gabrielle said, "that they tell no tales to—to others."