Marguerite could not be without me.

Not caring what the result might be, she publicly proclaimed our liaison, and I had come to live entirely at her house.

The servants addressed me officially as their master.
Prudence had strictly sermonized Marguerite in regard to her new manner of life; but she had replied that she loved me, that she could not live without me, and that, happen what might, she would not sacrifice the pleasure of having me constantly with her, adding that those who were not satisfied with this arrangement were free to stay away.

So much I had heard one day when Prudence had said to Marguerite that she had something very important to tell her, and I had listened at the door of the room into which they had shut themselves.
Not long after, Prudence returned again.

I was at the other end of the garden when she arrived, and she did not see me.