“What do you think of my dress, Father? Do you like it?”
     “Spin around. I would like a good look at it first before I establish my opinion.”
     Sabrina turned around.
     “Are you going out to make money?”
     “Father, what do you mean by that?” she asked timidly.
     “You look like a strumpet, my dear child. Get you upstairs and change into something less whorish!”
     Sabrina ran upstairs and burst into her bedroom, sobbing.
     “Charles, darling, why must you always treat our child so harshly?”
     “Evidently she cannot take care of herself, Ava. The world will take advantage of her and crush her down.”
     “What do you mean by that? I had a similar childhood to Sabrina, and I turned out just fine.”
     “I rescued you from a bordello. Your skirts were tattered and one of your clients was going to kill you. Do you not remember?”
     “Honestly, Charles, why do you keep bringing that up?”
     “To make an example out of it. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to continue reading this book. I have a feeling that Dantès is going to make a well deserved escape from the prison.”
     “Yes, dear.”

     Sabrina dried the tears from her eyes and gazed out of her bedroom window. The sun was slowly setting and reflecting its fiery colours upon the clouds in the sky. The clouds subserviently welcomed these colours and displayed them with warmth. Sparrows chorused and crooned one final song before retiring for the night.
     She turned around and her eyes met with excitement.
     “Marius! My dear friend, Marius! I have missed you so!”
     “And I have missed you, Sabrina Woodward. You look prettier every time I see you!” he tenderly extolled and took her in his arms. They embraced for a minute in silence and then sought comfort in chairs.
     “Would you like something to drink?”
     “Heavens, no! I cannot take my eyes off of you for even a moment. How have you been? Well, I hope.”
     “Yes, quite well, thank you,” she lied, and looked momentarily downcast as a result.
     “My dear, I don’t quite believe you. You know you can tell me anything. What is wrong?” His eyes were filled with warmth, and he moved closer. Sabrina began sobbing again. He held her hands until she felt enough relief to stop. Soon, she began to calm down and opened her mouth in embarrassment. Marius stopped her. “You need not apologize. Come lie down on the couch and I will fetch you a warm blanket.” He disappeared in haste and appeared again nearly as quickly. “Here you are.”
     “Thank you. I appreciate all of this, really, but I fear I have inconvenienced you.”
     “Hardly, Sabrina. Nothing that you require of me is an inconvenience. It’s an honour to do whatever I can to help you. I think you will cheer up after I share the good news that I have with you.”
     “Thank you, Marius,” she said gratefully. “Please do go on!”
     “I want to get married!” he declared cheerfully.
     Sabrina took a deep breath and shuddered. She realized that the rumours were true. Marius is indeed seeing a woman in secret, and now he is in love with her. “That’s great, Marius. You shall be very happy, I hope.”
     “Indeed, I shall. What’s wrong, Sabrina? You look very pale.”
     “I am fine - just overwhelmed at the news. I wasn’t expecting it, though I am glad for you. What is her name?”
     “Who’s name, dear?”
     “The name of the woman you are to marry!”
     “It’s you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Sabrina. Did you think I was talking about someone else?”
     “Yes,” she blushed and began to cry.
     “Why are you crying again? What’s wrong? Do you not want to marry me?”
     “Yes, I do want to marry you. I’m just relieved, that’s all.”
     Marius grinned and they embraced.