A Coup for Love

In the morning, after Leon and I had kissed each other good-bye, he was to go hunting in the forest with the village men. Like any other village woman, I stood in front of my house and watched him leave, watching him join the men. Even though Leon was wearing a regular shirt, he was still so visible in the crowd. Leon and the other men patted each other on the shoulder and talked and laughed. When their retreating backs finally disappeared into the depths of the forest, I reluctantly returned to the house. I sat down at my dressing-table and began to comb my hair in front of the mirror. To be precise, it was not a dressing-table in the true sense of the word, but a small wooden table placed near the head of the bed. The bronzed vanity was a wedding present from Mrs. Wells to me and Leon, and though it is smaller than the one I used at home, it is so special to me. "Luna, please bless me!" " I muttered, turning my head cautiously toward the mirror and ruffling a strand of hair at the ba