Three Women in a Mirror Read Free

opportunity to look into the two mirrors? Stand here in my place.”
    Then, turning to her aunt and grandmother, “I would be overjoyed if my three cousins could also share this gift.”
    Initially Ida was startled; she stood next to Anne and pleaded with the two women. They made a face and then, touched by Anne’s cordial simplicity, they nodded.
    Hadewijch, the youngest, rushed over to the stool.
    â€œMy turn!”
    Ida made an acrimonious gesture to prevent her sister from going ahead, then stopped, aware she must maintain her composure as the elder sister. In a fit of pique she went over to the window.
    Anne was disgusted: Ida went on blocking the ray of light without even noticing that it was falling upon her chest and face. She did not even feel it. What a brute!
    On seeing Philippe in the street below, Ida smiled. A moment later, she was frowning.
    â€œHe’s disappointed. He’s looking for you, not me.”
    Her features twisted, her gaze empty, Ida swallowed, hurt. Anne leaned toward her, seeing how pained she was, and reached out her hand to her cousin and said, “I would have gladly left him to you.”
    â€œPardon?”
    Ida jumped, certain she had misunderstood.
    â€œI would gladly leave him to you. Philippe.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œIf he were not in love with me.”
    Anne thought she had said something kind.
    There was the sound of a slap.
    â€œHussy!” hissed Ida.
    Anne, because she felt a sudden warmth on her cheek, realized that she was the one who had been slapped; Ida had struck her.
    All conversation fell silent, and the women turned to look.
    â€œYou snotty-nosed trollop, what makes you so sure that no man will ever desire me? I’ll prove you wrong! I’ll show you! You’ll see, there will be dozens of men after me! Hundreds!”
    â€œOne would suffice,” corrected Anne gently.
    A second slap resounded.
    â€œConfound it! You do go on! You are convinced I won’t have even one! What a pest! You are wicked!”
    Aunt Godeliève intervened. “Ida, do calm down.”
    â€œAnne is driving me to the edge, Maman. She insists I am ugly and repulsive.”
    â€œNot at all. Anne has merely said what I think: one man will suffice, you do not need to charm ten, let alone a hundred.”
    Ida glared defiantly at her mother, as if to say, “Say what you like, we shall see.” Godeliève raised her head and said, “Apologize to Anne.”
    â€œNever!”
    â€œIda!”
    In response, her eldest daughter, red with spite, the veins in her neck bulging, screamed, “I’d sooner die!”
    Godeliève handed the mirror she was holding to the surveyor’s widow and rushed over to her daughter. Ida stepped aside; she crossed the room fearlessly, pushed her sister off the stool, and ordered the women: “Now it’s my turn.”
    Godeliève refrained from embarking on a struggle she knew she might lose, and signaled to her friends to obey the irascible girl. Then she went over to her niece.
    â€œI suppose she is jealous of you, Anne. She was hoping to be the first to marry.”
    â€œI know. I forgive her.”
    Her aunt kissed her.
    â€œOh, if only my Ida had your good nature . . . ”
    â€œShe will be better when she gets what she wants. Some day she will let go of her anger.”
    â€œPray God you are right!” said Godeliève, caressing her niece’s temple. “In any case, I am sad and happy for you. Sad because I will see you less often. Happy because you have found a good man.”
    When she heard her aunt Godeliève’s tranquil voice mapping out her fate, Anne took heart and stopped wondering. Calm once again, she turned her face to the cool air.
    A butterfly came to land on the edge of the roof. Its wings, lemon yellow on the inside, green on the outside, fluttered, like a breath. The insect had come to preen itself, thinking it was alone, unaware it