As the days were marching on, John went to the Circus a couple of times, but he didn’t find Velvet. As the fiancée of a count, she now was spending all the time searching the perfect outfits for the events the count invited her at, and of course, finding a wedding dress. She did participate at lots of events and she was always the one that the crowd was curious about, so she was always in the center of attention.
One day, the count told her there will be an event in the house of Mademoiselle Larouse, the daughter of Franc Larouse, one of the aristocrats that hoped one day to rule the world. Mademoiselle’s Larouse parties were always events people talked about; because though she was a lady and not some lullaby girl, she had the fame of a courtesan. Velvet found her easy to deceive and since she needed high society friends, she accepted the invitation.
Miss Larouse’s house was not a big one. It didn’t have a garden and had only two floors. She wanted it that way. And when she was asked why, she simply said: “Do I need a reason??”.
When Velvet and the count arrived, everyone stopped talking and looked towards them. Especially towards her. Though an orchestra was singing, you could hear weak humming, like the bees do when they’re working. Only that this humming was meant to give the young bride a feeling of incertitude.
Miss Larouse stood up from the armchair she was sitting in and walked in front of the pair.
-Tom, you’ve finally decided to join me into one of my delighting parties.- then she looked at Velvet.- and you, you must be Juliette!! I heard so much about you. Come on, I want to hear everything about your life.-and she grabbed Velvet’s hand and pulled her into a corner.
-Sit.- she said pointing a chair.
-Well, it isn’t much to tell about my life. I grew up as a musician’s daughter, at the age of 15 I became a dancer and now I’m engaged to Tom.
-I heard that he gave you a ring with a ruby as an engagement ring. Personally, I wouldn’t have liked that….
Miss Larouse was talking so fast, Velvet was amused of her capacity of expressing her ideas. She didn’t look like a lady of society but as a
woman used to sell fish in the market. But while she was answering at the curious questions Mademoiselle Larouse had for her, she saw John in the front door. And he saw her. Suddenly she stopped talking and her host turned to see what she was staring at. When she saw John Bishop staring back at her guest, she sketched a smile and said.
-Well, I see that Tom disappeared.
But Velvet wasn’t a fool so she replied:
-No, he is in front of the crystal table; talking to Mousier Marchant.
Then Roxanne looked at her and said:- I like you! And I just had the feeling we will become really good friends.
Tom saw her and John, so he thought he should introduce them. If he would only know that they’ve been introduced before. Or that to John, she needed no introduction.
-John, boy. I want you to meet someone.
Just in the moment John wanted to say he already knows her, Velvet made him a sign to stay quiet. He was so bewitched by her that he understood her and kept what he wanted to say for himself.
-This is my fiancée, Juliette. I’m sure you must’ve heard about her.
-Yes, I did.
In truth he only heard about the engagement. His mother omitted to say that she was beautiful and that she was a Circus dancer.
But right when he was about to say something, Roxanne interfered saying Tom owns her something. So he took him to a room and let them alone.
-I never expected to see you here. And as Tom’s fiancée.
-That doesn’t bother you?? The fact that I am his!!- she said waiting impatiently for an answer.
-Why would it bother me, mademoiselle??
-Well, I don’t know.
-Strange, I thought you knew me well.
Velvet smiled and turned around to see if somebody was looking at them. Everyone was. Then she said:
-I do!