Chapt 10
While Mme Giry waited for her port, she prepared for bed. The light rose gossamer nightgown and matching cashmere robe felt richly soft against her aged but firm skin. "The Comtess has simple but luxurious taste," she thought approvingly. Slipping her feet into the matching slippers lined with sheep skin were also heavenly to the touch. She slowly sat down at the dressing table and pulled the pins from her French twist. Reaching for the brush she reveled in the feel of each stroke to her head. She looked into the mirror and thought back on the day's revelations, "Christine, you would have been proud of both men."
A short while later a light knock at the door announced the arrival of the libations. Mme Giry call in answer, "please do enter". In walked the butler smiling and holding a tray with a decanter of dark red liquid. Two small glasses also sat upon the tray. Mme Giry noted the glasses and casually looked up at the butler, "would you like to join me?" The butler took this as an invitations and not a question, "thank you for offering, yet, as I have something to show you which you may find of interest."
Even though she should be tired and would undoubtedly fall asleep once her head hit the pillow, Mme Giry's mind was still too restless with thoughts. She thought the port would help her unwind. She had retired to the divan by the rooms French doors which led out to a balcony. She reached over to the lamp on the side table then motioned for the butler to set the tray on the low table in front of the divan. "Please pour us each a glass and be seated," motioning to the chair opposite her. Pouring the port into the glasses, the butler handed one to Mme Giry's extended hand. As she watched him turn away he proceeded across the room to a rolled desk of white French provincial, decorated with pink roses and green ribbon designs. Pulling a key from his coat pocked he unlocked the center drawer then rolled up the garage. Within were picture books. Taking a couple in his arm he turned and laid them on the low table beside the tray. Sitting down he picked up the other glass of port and took a deep drink, closed his eyes to savor the liquid, sat the glass down and looked Mme Giry in the eyes. She returned the gaze as she noticed the same look she must be showing in her own. Both of them had much to share that had brought them all to this moment in this house.
Acknowledging the returned look, the butler leaned forward to one of the albums and flipped the cover open. "These books are filled with memories since that night." Mme Giry tilted her head down to see the first page revealed a headline about the Opera Populaire fire. The Chagny name was circled below the headline New Patron's of the Paris Opera House Attend Disastrous Opening of Don Juan.