ed."

Understanding and considerate as always, Lucile turned back to Edith with a smile. "Wait for me at home, my dear. I''ll be back soon, then we can go on with our discussion."

As Edith followed Citizen Desmoulins onto the street, she saw that dawn had already crept in. The cold of the winter morning made her give a shudder.

Once inside the warm and cozy carriage, a wave of strong drowsiness overtook her. She was too tired to observe proper etiquette, and in front of Citizen Desmoulins, she leaned her head against the swaying wall of the carriage, falling asleep.

When Edith woke up in the guest room of the Desmoulins'', it was already approaching evening. She felt a bit embarrassed for having slept so carelessly for such a long time in someone else''s home, sticking out her tongue at herself.

The house was quiet, and she walked on tiptoes, turning into the study where she saw Lucile still working at her desk.

Lucile smilingly nodded at Edith when she saw her get up. The young mother''s face was slightly pale, and her beautiful eyes were not as dewy as usual. It was evident that she had not rested for long, yet her inner passion still made her radiant.

Edith sat down at the desk, facing the darkening sky outside the window, chin resting in her hand, lost in thought with a heavy heart.

After a while, Lucile handed her a document, "Could you help me polish this passage, Edith? My rhetoric has never been of aura as yours."

"Citizeness Desmoulins," the maiden suddenly spoke, "If a friend had offended you i