Victoria nodded to Jude when he entered, and had delicately scooped a few scrambled eggs onto her plate.<br/><br/>While Jude was situating himself between Desiree and herself, Lysette asked her about Mr. Hertly.  Victoria looked up, her cheeks tinted pink.  But then Lysette retired to the kitchen quickly.  And, wanting to break a little of the soft tension in the room, Victoria did what she does best. Converse.<br/><br/>"His wife is being difficult again, Mr. Hertly's, I mean." she said in an aloft manner.  "I'm always trying to get him to return at a respectable time, but it's not my fault she makes his home life unbearable.  I can't stand to see anyone in an unbearable situation. It isn't good for the skin.  Causes wrinkles."<br/><br/>"She's somewhat of a shrew, if you ask me, Mr. Hertly's wife, I mean." she said quietly, moving her fork through her eggs.  "He's not being a very good husband, but to tell you the truth, she's not being a very good wife<em>either</em>.  Not that it's any of my buisness.  Most of the time, Mr. Hertly just wants friendly companionship.  Someone to talk to, someone share the day's experience with.  So, I let him stay a bit longer, but only because I feel so sorry for the man."<br/><br/>Sometimes, Victoria could be outspoken, her worst flaw.<br/><br/>Desiree, the new girl, didn't talk much.  Not that Victoria could blame her.  She hadn't conversed much when she'd first arrived at the pleasure house either.  Victoria's family thought her to be working as a laundress in the city.  They knew she was living in a sort of boardinghouse with women, but they didn't bother to complain about the monies they received each month, so they, in turn, only corresponded to her through mail.  Lydia, Victoria's mother, was a widow, and had three other children to look after, and another in the army, let alone know what her eldest was up to.<br/><br/>Being a laundress meant having weathered hands before her time, and that was<em>certainly</em>something that Victoria wanted no part of.  And it was either work, or be married.