Molly flung herself down sighing on the sofa.
“I will not go down,” she said, sadly, and she owned to herself that she was afraid of Louise.
She took a book and read until she was quite sure that the late dinner was over. She, in her character of invalid, had had her own simple meal an hour ago.
She called Florine from the dressing-room.
“Go and ask Mr. Laurens to give me some piano music. Tell him I will not come out of my room. I can hear quite plainly here.”
Florine went out and Molly sank back, sobbing softly.
“He will think I am very bold, but, oh, I could not help it. It will take him away from her side at least, and it will make him think of me. But will he grant my request, or treat it with disdain?”
Florine came back, smirking.
“He will do as you wish, madame.”
And almost immediately the soft, full strains of music arose upon the air.