Edith Liberty

and told her, "Our new Lady Liberty was a great success. We sold hundreds of copies on the first morning. Readers are raving about your On the Virtue of Revolution."

"Incredible!" Edith was overjoyed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Who knows," Andre said with a grin, "perhaps one day your popularity will surpass that of Girondin''s The French Patriots and Marat''s The Friend of People."

Overwhelmed by self-forgetful happiness, Edith threw herself into Andre''s arms like in childhood, nearly knocking him off balance.

"Ah, you''re such a good friend!" she exclaimed, lost in ecstasy.

The youth was taken aback, then blushed as her soft hair brushed against his throat, causing a slight itch.

He hesitated, raising his hand then lowered it, and raised it again in an attempt to embrace her fine back, but she slipped out of his arms like a bird, landing agilely at the writing desk.

She had already begun to write her next article at lightning speed.

"So, are we officially reconciled now?" he shook his head, laughing at himself.

"Sure," Edith replied, playfully tilting her lips. "Written off!"

----------------

That evening, at the dinner table, Edith launched a surprise attack.

"I''ve decided to change my surname to ''Liberty''," she announced, her words muffled by the food in her mouth. "my father''s surname is not pleasant to hear."

"Oh, Notre Dame! My nerves are starting to ache again. I can''t control you grown-up children!" Aunt Adele exclaimed, pressing her temples. "With Miss Edith Liberty in the house, next we''ll have Monsieur Philippe Fraternity, and maybe someday I''ll be made Aunt Adele Republic! Well, do as you please! I''m old, I can''t care for so much!"

"I support every decision of yours, Edith," Margot consoled her mother, patting her arm, still smiling gently at her younger sister.

Later, Edith told Andre about changing her surname.