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“She needs rest The poor girl is worn out”
“Yes” Gabriel’s expression was thoughtful, but he didn’t colass “You’ve stopped drinking”
“I have” He offered her a patient s myself” She wiped her lips with her napkin “Will you accept some maternal advice, from someone who is not your mother?”
Gabriel turned to her abruptly “About what?”
“I worry sometimes about your ability to handle your detractors Especially now that you’re ree but she interrupted
“I’m old, I can behave hoish But you cannot be Julianne’s champion at academic conferences If you rise to her defense, you’ll make her look weak”
Gabriel folded his napkin and placed it on the table “The incident thiswith Christa Peterson was anomalous She tried to destroy our careers”
“Just so But even in that case, I’ood”
Gabriel frowned, and Katherine decided to change tactics
“We’ve been good friends, you and I I’d like to think that if I’d had a son, he would be your equal in intelligence and talent”
His expression softened “Thank you, Katherine Your friendship is iiven Julianne some advice No doubt she’ll tell you all about our conversation But before she returns, I’d ask that you consider what I’ve just said She’s a nice young wohtness shine”
“That’s all I want” He looked down at his hands His eyes were drawn to the way the light caught on his wedding band, and he found hier on the table, as if to signal that the matter had been decided “Now, I hope I’ll be invited to dinner at your house when I giveMattheays takes astronomy restaurants that serve you deconstructed entrées cooked in liquid nitrogen I can never decide whether I’anic chemistry”
After dinner, Gabriel insisted that they escort Katherine to her residence at All Souls, where they bade one another good night and agreed to ht thirty, sharp” Katherine tapped her atch “Don’t be late”
“We wouldn’t dream of it” Gabriel bowed
“See that you don’t” With a wave, she disappeared behind the great wooden door of the college, which closed behind her
Left standing together, Gabriel took Julia’s hand, noticing that her fingers had grown cold He tried to war
“I know that you’re tired,” he said “But I want to show you so It will just take a minute”
He led her around the corner to Radcliffe Ca that had become an icon of the university The sky was dark, hts illuminated the impressive structure