s."
"Edith is the centre of this family," said Margot softly. "You''d just ask her."
Edith complained about her sister forcing her to make this embarrassing decision in front of the whole family. But she nodded sheepishly in agreement.
Once they confirmed each other''s mind, she tried to change the dressing on his shoulder wound herself.
Edith''s technique was clumsy, plus her movements were never as gentle and nimble as her sister Margot''s, causing the patient to involuntarily let out a groan of pain.
"I''m sorry," said Andre, lying on his front.
"Why are you apologising to me?" Edith looked at him funny.
"In front of my lover, I failed to show the adamancy that a man should have," he replied.
Edith was made laugh and flapped him on the chest.
Yet this brought up Andre''s gunshot wound, and he gasped in surprise, moaning in pain once again.
He looked at her with a complaining gaze, but this time he didn''t apologise again.
-----------------
"We should tell my aunt about us," Edith suddenly said to Andre one day.
Andre fell silent and looked serious.
"Perhaps it''s better if fewer people know about our love," he said.
"Why?" she asked, clearly dissatisfied.
"The revolution is still in crisis. Dumouriez defected, federalists are inciting rebellions everywhere, famines and riots... I''m somewhat influential in the National Convention. There are quite a few people who harbour grudges against me. I''m afraid it could embroil you."
"You''re right, Andre. You''re so thoughtful!" She cuddled his neck and kissed his cheek. "You''re so good!"
"I''m sorry, my Edith." He stroked her chestnut hair with gold threads, feeling a little heartache.
Nevertheless grinned the naturally optimistic girl cheerily. "A secret romance! How exciting!"
----------------
Taking advantage of her family''s occasional inattention, Edith pinned her sweetheart against the door, stretching her toes to reach his lips.
"The tenant and the landlord''s daughter!" She teased him. "What a classic plot!"
In the evening, the two walked hand in hand along the boulevards, talking about their playful and learning-filled time in the small studio in Rouen.
"We were once a pupil and a tutor too! Doesn''t it sound very much like Julie and Saint-Preux in The New Heloise?" Edith mischievously kidded him.
At Per