Cécile: Gates of Gold

Madame’s Dogs

Françoise leads Cécile through the hallways. They are filled with tapestries, paintings, statues, and elegant furniture. However, the air is warm, and is filled with the scents of strong perfume and putrid body odors. Cécile longs for fresh air. In addition, the hallways are filled with busy people—servants, soldiers, and courtiers. Cécile hopes she doesn’t get lost among all the people.

But at last, Françoise stops outside a set of large doors. She scratches her littlest fingernail, which is longer than the others, on the door, and then opens the doors into a room with blue drapes. Madame has opened the windows so the room is filled with fresh air and light.

Madame explains Cécile will always stand or sit on the floor in Madame’s presence, never in a chair. She motions for Françoise and Cécile to sit next to her so they can meet her dogs. The loyal dogs come over to sniff the girls. Françoise introduces Monsieur Titti, the oldest, Mademoiselle Minette, and the three Chars: Charmille, Charmion, and Charmonte. And lastly, Stabdille, who is the largest dog, and seems the most curious and intelligent.

As Madame finishes her letters, the dogs trot back to sit beside her. Madame complains that although she writes and seals all of her letters with wax, they’ll still be opened and read before mailed out, as if they fear Madame may be a threat.