Book #1: Suzy's Dream (Chapter 10 - Part 2)

Chapter 10 continued...

Suzy found the presence of M. de Flers at Cannes pleasant. Surrounded by strangers, and feeling a little isolated despite Lady Graham's cordial welcome, she had felt real joy at George's arrival. He was a connection with those whom she had left behind in Paris. He knew them, and she could talk to him about them. They had also both lived the same life at Le Castel, and she felt a deep pleasure in knowing – since she was far from her family – someone to whom she could say, “Do you remember?” and therefore reliving a moment of the past.

She also noticed – young women have excellent eyes, after all – that Georges did not dread her company. On the contrary! And indeed, her vivacity, her freshness of impressions pleased the dilettantism of M. de Flers; they interested and charmed him, surprising him, he, who at times, was so jaded.

And so, very willingly, he remained with her, finding, in hearing her talk, the same pleasure he had in placing on a canvas, the features of her delightful face, in listening to her playing as an artist would, when she interpreted the works she loved. He enjoyed breathing in the charming perfume of youth that floated around her. Without his suspecting it, that essence was gradually creeping into him.

Suzy was too naïve, too forthright, to understand the complicated soul of Georges de Flers. She welcomed him as he presented himself to her, always exquisitely courteous, surrounding her with discreet compliments in which she felt more than politeness. That is why all the bitterness of her stay in Cannes had disappeared, why she ardently enjoyed the mad hustle and bustle of this carnival day.

Lady Graham's carriage left the line and headed for one of the many beautiful villas bordering the Promenade des Anglais . As the horses stopped in front of the gate, a voice alongside Suzy said, “Will you accept the regards of an old friend, Mademoiselle Suzanne?”

In that same moment, a waterfall of roses, narcissus, and mimosas streamed down onto the young lady’s knees.

She abruptly turned, and a cry of surprise burst from her lips.

“André Vilbert…Oh! Is it really you, here, in Cannes, in the middle of carnival! How is this possible?”

Yes, it was he who was contemplating her, a deep joy in his eyes.

“I’ve been following you for nearly half an hour, without being able to reach you,” he said. “I tried to go and see you in Cannes, and then I heard that you were here, in Nice, so, I came.”

Lady Graham looked on in surprise. Suzy quickly made the introductions.

“Monsieur Vilbert, one of my family’s best friends. Oh, dear Lady Anne, may I ask M. Vilbert to come and visit me tomorrow? I would be so happy to have news of everyone at home.”

“Certainly, yes, dearest,” Lady Graham replied in an affectionate tone.

“Then, Monsieur Vilbert, it’s agreed! I'll be waiting for you tomorrow…tomorrow morning, because during the day we'll be in Nice for the confetti battle.”

Very willingly André promised to visit. For so long he’d been deprived of Suzy’s presence, and so many times he’d thought of the moment when he’d find himself near her again.

As he remained in the crowd, he followed Suzy with his gaze, while she and Lady Graham reached the entrance of the Samian villa. At that moment, a man, appearing very elegant in dress and how he held himself, approached and joined them.

André had only seen Georges de Flers once, yet he did not hesitate for a second to recognize him. The young man stepped aside to allow Lady Graham and Suzy in, and then he entered, after which the gate fell closed behind them. 

Suddenly, it seemed to André that Suzy was now far from him, and an indefinable shadow darkened the happiness he’d experienced in seeing her again.

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Le rêve de Suzy is in the public domain. All original additions, including translations, illustrations and chapter summaries, are copyright © 2025 by Marriah K. Nissen and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. All rights reserved.