myself."
I shook my head and stepped back, more
terrified than ever.
"Come on," he said. "Look. My name's Beau
Andreas. I'm a very good friend of the family.
Actually, Gisselle is my girlfriend, but my parents and
the Dumas have known each other for ages. I'm like a
member of this family. That's why I'm so shocked by
what you're saying. Come on," he chanted, and took
my hand.
"I've changed my mind," I said, shaking my
head. "This isn't as good an idea as I first thought." "What isn't?"
"Surprising them."
"Mr. and Mrs. Dumas don't know you're
coming?" he asked, his confusion building. I shook
my head. "This is really bizarre. Gisselle doesn't know
she has a twin sister and the Dumas don't know you're
here. Well, why did you come all this way if you're
only going to turn around and go right back?" he
asked, his hands on his hips.
"You're afraid, aren't you?" he said quickly. "That's it, you're afraid of them. Well, don't be. Pierre Dumas is a very nice man and Daphne . . . she is nice, too. Gisselle," he said, smiling, "is Gisselle. To tell you the truth, I can't wait to see the expression on her
face when she comes face-to-face with you." "I can," I said, and turned away.
"I'll just run in and tell them you were here and
you're running away," he threatened. "Someone will
come after you and it will all be far more
embarrassing."
"You wouldn't," I said.
"Of course I would," he replied, smiling. "So
you might as well do it the right way." He held out his
hand. I looked back at the house and then at him. His