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"Of course. But she's made an improvement?"

"I think so."

"Taking care of Pierre will occupy her mind and end her self-condemnation. She won't have time for it," Dr. Lefevre assured me. "And you should come back to work, too," she added. "They miss you around here."

I smiled and thanked her, and then I hurried out into the corridor to call Daddy.

He was very excited. "Did you call your mother yet?"

"No. I thought I'd call you first so you could make the arrangements."

"Good. Okay, I'll get right on it. You call her. She was so dead to the world when I rose that I didn't even speak to her," he said.

"I know." It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him why, but I thought Mommy would be devastated if I broke our pact. "I'll call her now."

I phoned and Aubrey answered.

"I have to speak to my mother right away, Aubrey," I said quickly.

"Madame has left the house," he said.

I glanced at my watch. She had said she wasn't coming to the hospital until after lunch. "Did she say where she was going?"

"No, mademoiselle. She just said good-bye to everyone and left."

"Said good-bye? How do you mean?"

"She made it a point to see every servant before leaving," he said, obviously confused by Mommy's behavior. My heart began to pitter-patter. Where had she gone? What was she doing? I was wrong to leave her and to make such promises, I told myself.

"Did she receive any phone calls this morning or any visitors, Aubrey?"

"None that I know of, mademoiselle."

"Did she take anything with her when she left?" He hesitated. I knew he didn't like reporting or seeming like a spy. "It's all right, Aubrey. Mommy has been troubled since Jean's passing and isn't herself. I have to know."

He was silent for a moment and then began. "The only reason I know this is because Margaret was confused and mentioned it to me, mademoiselle."

"You know what, Aubrey?" I demanded with impatience.

"Madame was searching for something in your brother Jean's dresser. She pulled all of the drawers out and spilled the contents on the floor, and then she took down the picture of the twins that hung above Monsieur Andreas's desk and . . ." He paused. "And?"

"She cut your brother Jean out of it and left the other half, and then she left the house with only a small satchel."

I sensed from the way his words hung in the air that there was something more. "What else Aubrey?" I asked, my teeth practically chattering in anticipation.

"She didn't take the car, mademoiselle. She simply walked away."

"No one came to pick her up, not a taxi, nothing?"

"Not that I saw, mademoiselle."

"You saw her walk away from the house?"

"Yes, mademoiselle. She never looked back. Is there something you wish me to do?"

"No, Aubrey. Nothing now," I said, the tears filling my eyes. "I'll be home soon." I said good-bye, then cradled the receiver and stood there, a stone-cold numbness creeping up my legs. Where was Mommy going? Whatstrange ritual was she off to perform now? A chill embraced me, and I crossed my arms over my breasts.

"Hi, Pearl." I turned to see Sophie. "I just stopped at your brother's room, and the nurse told me you were still here. I heard the wonderful news. The doctor's sending him home, huh?"