"Parfait," he practically purred. "What a charming girl you are." His eyes were a pale pastel, and he could have picked her up off the ground one-handed if he'd wanted. Beautiful, wonderful agony, her heart almost breaking.
Almost, almost.
"I will take my book now, s'il vous plaît, Miss – ah, but I have not asked your name, have I? May I have it? I assume you are a clever girl, who would not give up such a precious thing as this book on a whim. You will do marvelously, to be sure it is not wasted, yes? Then I will see your name in papers, as they do for all the best students. I will know your name when you write me a letter to let me know you have graduated, with all of the honors you must earn." He sighed. "What a lovely thought, that when you start to tire of your studies, you can recall what I have done for you here to strengthen your resolve. I do so adore to be helpful."
"It has a lovely symmetry, non? For here is the sort of book that teaches a girl to dream – it did, did it not? I have not misjudged this lovely treasure? Mais, now you give it up to see if you are capable of making those dreams come true. I like when stories wrap themselves up so neatly."
He offered her the cash, watching and waiting, patient.
Almost, almost.
"I will take my book now, s'il vous plaît, Miss – ah, but I have not asked your name, have I? May I have it? I assume you are a clever girl, who would not give up such a precious thing as this book on a whim. You will do marvelously, to be sure it is not wasted, yes? Then I will see your name in papers, as they do for all the best students. I will know your name when you write me a letter to let me know you have graduated, with all of the honors you must earn." He sighed. "What a lovely thought, that when you start to tire of your studies, you can recall what I have done for you here to strengthen your resolve. I do so adore to be helpful."
"It has a lovely symmetry, non? For here is the sort of book that teaches a girl to dream – it did, did it not? I have not misjudged this lovely treasure? Mais, now you give it up to see if you are capable of making those dreams come true. I like when stories wrap themselves up so neatly."
He offered her the cash, watching and waiting, patient.