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She looked down at her feet, which we could still plainly see, at the vicious sequined shoes of which she was so proud

"It's even an undertaking to go into New Orleans to the jewelers who know I'h I have out back at all tiinable, certainly the biggest lientle Jasmine of course But where are you these days, Quinn? It seems if I do wake at a civil hour and make some appointment you can't be found "

I was in a haze It was a night for shame and more shame I felt as cut off froain, of the taste of his blood and how close I had coain if Lestat had worked soic on both of us -- Aunt Queen and uile

But I liked it I trusted Lestat, and a suddento hurtto Aunt Queen

Aunt Queen went on with a lovely anih the words were still sad

"And so I sit here with my little talis that Quinn will coestured to the large television to our left "I try not to think bitterly about my weaknesses Mine has been a rich, full life And my cameos make me happy The pure obsession with them makes me happy It always has, really I've collected cao day Can you see what I mean?"

"Yes," said Lestat, "I understand you perfectly I'lad to be received in your house "

"That's a quaint way to put it," she said, obviously charhtened and so did her deep-set eyes "But you are raciously welcome here "

"Thank you, Madam," Lestat replied

"Aunt Queen, ," she pressed

"Aunt Queen, I love you," he responded warmly

"You go now, both of you," she said "Quinn, put the chairs back because you're big and strong, and Jas the ones, and I am so put out that I have ended this spirited conversation on a sad note "

"On a grand note," said Lestat, rising, as I took both the chairs easily and returned the table "Don't think I haven't been honored by your confidences," he went on "I've found you a grand lady, if you'll forgivelady indeed "

She broke into a delighted riff of laughter, and as I calittering there as if her feet were immortal and could carry her anywhere, I suddenly detached from all decorum and went down on my knees and bent my lips to kiss her shoes

This I had done often with her; in fact, I had caressed her shoes and kissed them to tease her, and liked the feel of her arch in them, and I kissed that too, the thin nylon-covered skin, often and now, but forto her And on and on she laughed in a lovely soft high laugh that ainst the blue sky gone quite wild