Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part X: Dinner with Monsieur Dubois

Luisa was awoken a couple hours later by knocking on her door. She sprang up and and quickly walked over and answered it, her hair still in disarray from her nap.

She opened it to reveal M. Dubois standing there.

"Bonjour!" She said. "Come in Monsieur!" She said smiling as she stood aside.

"Sleep well?" He asked as he glided in the room, taking a seat at her desk hair.

"You knew I was sleeping?" She asked embarrassed.

"Your hair and hoarse voice gave you away!" He laughed.

"Oh God!" She said as she patted her hair best she could. "I apologize! I suppose I was more tired than I realized!"

"No need my dear! You're a guest tonight!" He said happily. "It's good you're rested as I'd hoped you would join me for dinner tonight. I rarely have guests anymore it would be nice to not eat alone!"

"Of course! Whatever you need!" She said.

"Dear don't say yes to me only because you feel indebted to me!" He said. "You're only obliged to work and even then you're free to quit!" He giggled.

"Well then I would love to dine with you M. Dubois!" She said as she curtseyed.

"Wonderful!" He cried. "I'll have my chef cook up his best! Come down to the dining room in an hour or so." He instructed. "Oh and I'll send someone to the tailor to get you a nice dress to wear, you'll forgive if it fits not very well! Time is short."

"I'd be happy with any gift you give!" She said cordially.

"Well then I'll see you in an hour!" He said as he stood up and bowed before leaving her room.

About fifteen minutes later she heard another knock on her door, she opened to see a stranger. An older woman who had a busy and rushed look about her.

"Are you Luisa?" She asked.

"Yes?" She answered.

"Oh bonjour Mademoiselle!" She said. "I am Catherine! I am the tailor, I was beckoned by M. Dubois to get you in a fancy new dress!" She said as she wanted the room with the dresses tucked under her arm. She spoke politely yet rushedly, her voice and actions all at a higher pace than your average person.

"Oh bonjour! I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Madame!" Luisa said as she shut the door.

"You'll be more pleased with the dresses I hope!" Catherine said smiling.

Luisa went over and looked them over and her eye was immediately drawn to black and red one.

"This one is gorgeous!" Luisa said.

"Excellent!" Catherine said. "Let's get you fitted!"

So she did just that, she measured Luisa and made a few adjustments before putting the dress on Lusia. And then she asked about its fit and fixed and fitted wherever was needed. Eventually she was fit and ready, and Catherine even helped her put on some makeup, dark to match the dress, and put her hair up in a ornate bun clipped with a silver hair clip.

"You look perfect!" Catherine said smiling. "Like a real lady!"

"Isn't it all a bit much for a housekeeper?" Luisa asked laughing.

"Oh?" Catherine said confused. "Oh! Oh yes it would seem dear!" Catherine laughed with a wry smile. "I'll take my leave then Mademoiselle!" She said bowing before leaving the room.

Luisa thought her reaction strange but she brushed it aside. Her mind was far too full of other intruding thoughts to care too much about it.

Time for dinner came and she made her way downstairs and searched for the dining room, which she thankfully found with relative ease.