A Murder Misstery Epilogue

"Of course it has everything to do with you!"

"Does she know about me?"

"Not in so many words...Madeline, I'm a Frenchman, and I've had many mistresses, whom she has tolerated over the years, as most Frenchwomen do. But you are different."

"Well, that's stating the obvious," I said, a lame attempt to break the tension.

"That's not what I mean, Madeline. The difference is that I've fallen in love with you, deeply in love, and I cannot disguise it from her, any more than you can disguise your beauty."

"So she asked for the divorce?"

"It's all very civilized. There are no children, and the financial settlement will be extremely generous. I'm afraid this means that I will no longer be a wealthy man, and I will have to keep working for the foreseeable future."

"That doesn't sound so bad," I said hopefully, "if you like being a doctor."

"I love my work, and I would be bored to tears with retirement, but it's important for you to know these things, because now I must ask you that question."

I gave him my most encouraging smile as he reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and produced a box from Cartier. "My dear Madeline, will you marry me?" he asked as he slipped the ring on my finger.