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Two
ThemarquisdeCarabaswentdownononekneetothegirlandloweredhishead."Mylady,"hesaid.
Sheseemeduncomfortable."Oh,dogetup,deCarabas.I’mpleasedyoucame."
Hestoodinonesmoothmovement."Iunderstand,"hesaid,"thatthewordsfavor,really,andbighavebeenused.Inconjunction."
"Later."ShewalkedovertoRichardandtookhishandsinhers."Richard.Thanks.Ireallyappreciateeverythingyou’vedone.Ichangedthesheetsonthebed.AndIwishtherewassomethingIcoulddotopayyouback."
"You’releaving?"
Shenodded."I’llbesafenow.Moreorless.Ihope.Foralittlewhile."
"Whereareyougoingnow?"
Shesmiledgentlyandshookherhead."Uh-uh.I’moutofyourlife.Andyou’vebeenwonderful."Shewentupontiptoesthenandkissedhimonthecheek,asfriendskissfriends.
"IfIeverneedtogetintouchwithyou—?"
"Youdon’t.Ever.And..."andthenshepaused."Look,I’msorry,okay?"
Richardinspectedhisfeet,inanawkwardsortofway."There’snothingtobesorryabout,"hesaid,andadded,doubtfully,"itwasfun."
