t.
Edith breathed a sigh of relief and, together with Margot, cast a grateful glance at her cousin.
The speech ended, and the audience erupted into thunderous applause. The host gave a brief summary, and a representative requested that the speech be printed immediately.
"Let''s go and intercept him before he leaves," Philippe stood up first, urging the others.
"Aunt, Cousin, you go ahead. I think I need to hurry to help Citizeness Desmoulins proofread today''s manuscript," Edith said, her heart beating fast as she turned and hurried away.
Margot looked kind of surprised but soon showed understanding. There was always a subtle understanding between the two vastly different sisters.
-----------------
The diminutive Aunt Adele was the first to rush forward and intercept the speaker in the hallway.
"Monsieur Quenet...I mean, Citizen Quenet, I can''t believe it''s you! What a coincidence!" she exclaimed.
The orator looked down at the elderly woman in confusion.
"Don''t you remember me? I''m Mrs. Percy. You painted my portrait before...My niece, little Edith, she used to visit your residence often, didn''t she?"
Upon hearing the name, Andre
seemed to catch on immediately. He instinctively scanned the area around Adele for a child - no, he inwardly mocked himself for being foolish. She must be a grown lady by now.
It''s a pity that behind the old woman, he only saw a black-haired quiet maiden. Clearly it was not her.
"Hello, Citizen Quenet, it''s an honor to meet you," Philippe said respectfully, extending his hand to shake Andre''s.
It was only then that Andre noticed the young man and felt apologetic as he shook his hand politely.
"Didn''t your niece come along?" he asked Citizeness Percy.
"Oh, she had something else to attend to. Since the Revolution, that chick has been busy every day," the elderly woman explained while carefully scrutinizing the face of this "old acquaintance."
From his features and skin alone, he still seemed almost boyish, yet the calm and confident charisma added a sense of age to his overall aura.
"But God bless, ten years have passed, and you haven''t changed a bit!"
"I suspect it''