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bitter disappointment show.
    “Oh, no! Nicholas didn’t—” Edward seemed at a loss for words. “I had planned to take you out there myself. I did try to prepare you in my last letter, once I knew for sure that you were coming. I hope you weren’t too disappointed.”
    “Of course not” I managed softly.
    “The girl had great plans for the house, I’m afraid.” Nicholas contradicted boldly. My eyes met his, silently imploring him to keep my secret, the secret of my grand and foolish dreams. But he continued. “Did you know that she had intended to fix the place up, to make it her home? I think it was damned cruel of you not to tell her about the fire!”
    Edward’s arm went about my shoulder in a consoling manner. “I am truly sorry. I had no idea you were so interested in the old house,” he said, drawing me further into the parlor and away from Nicholas. “It’s only the land, you see, that’s of any real value. I had hoped to have this all settled before you came. That’s why I made you the offer by mail. To spare you al! of this.”
    “I just don’t understand why Grandfather willed me that—that monstrosity!”
    “Do you think it was some kind of jest on his part?” His gray-blue eyes searched my face. “I hope not. You must not think too unkindly of the old man, Louise. He was old and in his dotage. He had lost everything dear to him. His poor mind could never quite accept the destruction of Evangeline. In his mind’s eye, Evangeline remained the glowing symbol of power and wealth that it had always been. He thought—he thought he was giving you a gift of great value.”
    As I listened, trying to understand, I realized how much my mother must have been like Raymond Dereux. Evangeline had never died for her, either. It had been indestructible, thriving and flourishing upon her dreams and fantasies. “I may have been disappointed in the house,” I said finally, “but that does not mean I’m sorry that I came. I do want to become acquainted with my mother’s family. My father had no living relatives and ... I’ve been very much alone.”
    “Say no more! Family is the most important treasure there is!” I was amazed to see a sentimental tear moistening Edward’s eyes as he took both of my hands in his. “Your mother was dear to me. I hated the thought of you going through the funeral alone like that. Lydia and I would have come to St. Louis if your grandfather hadn’t been so ill. I want you to feel most welcome to stay here with us. And don’t worry about Evangeline. I’ll be more than happy to take it off your hands. I can always use more land.”
    Edward turned to collect wineglasses from the tall cabinet nearby. “Why don’t we all have some sherry?” he called to Nicholas, who stood pacing near the doorway. “Nicholas? Won’t you join us?”
    Nicholas took the glass that Edward offered, but did not sit down with the rest of us.
    “The land around Evangeline seems as wild and neglected as the rest of the swamps,” I said. A vision of abandoned fields overgrown with weeds filled my disenchanted mind. “I wouldn’t want you to give me more than it’s worth.”
    “It’s going to take a lot of work,” Edward agreed. “But I am always interested in expanding. What I’d like to do is tear the old house down, put in some wild rice or indigo.”
    I glanced over at Nicholas. Something dark and unreadable glittered in his eyes. “You will not tear the house down!”
    “Now see here, Nicholas.” The room was awkwardly silent. I could tell by the way his hand tightened around the glass that Edward was growing upset. Before he could say any more, the outside door flew open.
    A rather plain young girl bounced in, closely followed by a husky, curly-haired youth of around sixteen. “This is Christine,” Edward introduced. “The daughter of my only son, Racine.” Sadness, deep and heavy, darkened his eyes. “I lost my dear son in the war, you know.”
    “Yes, Mother told me.