“Non Madame! Xxnx Madame Courvelle had agonised over the problem of finding a suitable replacement for her. Hanna just shook her head disgustedly and turned back to the matter in hand. She hung her jacket over the back of a chair and picked up the cane once more, flexing it in her hands and trying a couple of practice swings to judge its weight. A red mist had descended before her eyes. It was quite rare to see these eye catching young ladies abroad in broad daylight. At this point Madame Courvelle interrupted proceedings to address Michelle stood in front of Yvette. This fact alone was enough to ensure Madame Courvelle a highly influential position since it meant that she was party to many a secret that influential men of the village were desirous of avoiding becoming part of the public domain.
