Frederica and her Guardians Part 26

It has long been evident that Miss Tessie has got beyond Miss Glencairn and her little attempts at education; and she has been sent elsewhere-- to the ladies of the Sacred Heart, where you all should have been sent long ago. I have no doubt she will be quite happy there. She will, at all events, be judiciously dealt with."

Astonishment kept the sisters silent, and Madame went on--

"A most necessary and important step, I consider it. It is only to be regretted that so much time has been lost."

Frederica so trembled with indignation, that she could not speak.

Selina made a movement toward her, and holding her hand firmly, said,--

"Remember, Fred, nothing can really harm Tessie, or any of us. And, Madame, you will excuse us from discussing this matter with _you_. It is painful to us, and it cannot concern you."

"Except as I approve of it entirely. You do me injustice. I take the greatest possible interest in this matter, and in you."

"And who took the responsibility to advise such a step?" asked Frederica. "Does Mr St. Cyr know it? What do you suppose papa will say?"

"I advised it, and Mr Jerome St. Cyr saw the propriety of it. Mr St.

Cyr is in no state of health to say anything about such a matter. As for Mr Vane--" added Madame, and paused, with a look that sent a chill to the girls' hearts. There had no letter come to them by the last mail.

"What of papa?" said Selina, "Have you heard anything that we do not know?"

"As to this affair of Tessie? No, I have heard nothing. Should he ever return, he will doubtless recall her, unless she should wish to remain.

I dare say she is quite happy there by this time."

"Fred, love, do not let us vex ourselves. Tessie is at least quite safe there. But, Madame, why was it thought necessary to conceal her going there from us? Why did you deceive us?"

"Nay, you forget--I have nothing to do in this affair. I suppose Father Jerome feared that you might make yourselves unhappy. It was for your sakes that his intentions were not explained to you. Now that your sister is there, you must acknowledge that the convent is quite the best place for her. At all events, no change will be made now."

Frederica was sick at heart. If she were to utter the angry words that rose to her lips, she knew it would do no good. She knew not what to do.

"Fortunately, here comes Father Jerome; you may discuss the matter with him, and I will leave you;" and Madame rose to leave the room.

"At this moment it would not be agreeable to us," said Selina. "He has deceived us, and we decline to see him just now."

"What right has he to intermeddle in our affairs?" burst in Frederica; "a man whom neither our father nor mother ever trusted."

Madame laughed.

"It is as well to decline his visit at this moment. Later he will, I think, make you understand his right to meddle in your affairs, and his power to do so," said Madame, as she left the room.

"Selina, what shall we do? Selina, I am beginning to be afraid."

"But then you know, dear, nothing can really harm us. You read it yesterday--'Who is he that can harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?'"

"Oh! I don't remember, and that may not mean us. Selina, I am afraid."

"But, Fred, love, it must mean us, I think. We must not let the promise go, as though G.o.d would change. Read it, dear--to please me;" and she put the Bible into her sister's hand. "And in another place it is said, 'All things shall work together for good to them that love G.o.d.' We love Him, Fred. He has been very good to us."

Frederica took the Bible and read,--

"'For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

"'And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?'"

Selina's face grew bright as she listened.

"Fred, love, why should we be afraid? It is wrong to be afraid."

"Well," said Frederica, with a long breath, "I will not be afraid. I think I am more angry than afraid."

"But anger will not help us. Read what you read yesterday," said Selina.

Frederica read on to the end of the chapter, and then turned back to the one before it, the second of First Peter. They could not have explained all those beautiful and wonderful words--nay, they knew that most of them they understood very imperfectly. But they could take comfort from them, lingering over a verse here and there, and speaking to one another words which might not have been very wise, but which were always reverent and trustful.

"It is 'as new-born babes' that He speaks to us. And babes are neither wise nor strong. But He cares for them all the same, and surely we 'have tasted that the Lord is gracious,'" said Selina.

And so she went on to the end. It quieted them, and they went out to the garden to get the good of the suns.h.i.+ne, not less cheerfully than usual. The faces that the priest caught sight of as they pa.s.sed were brighter than he had seen them for a good while.

"See, they have forgotten their troubles already," said he, smiling.

"You are mistaken in thinking they will resist. Sister Agnace is mistaken in thinking they will suffer. They will yield to circ.u.mstances and a strong will. From whom could they have inherited strength?

Neither from father nor mother."

"Frederica is like the little Jewess her grandmother. She may have inherited her strength," said Madame. "I wish you could have seen her as I saw her a little while ago."

"Ah, well! She has forgotten her anger already. See the little b.u.t.terfly flitting about in the garden. There is nothing to fear from her."

"I will send Sister Agnace to keep an eye on your b.u.t.terfly. It is not necessary that they should tell their affairs to old Dixen who is there."

She returned immediately.

"Of what are you then afraid, if not of the 'little Jewess'?" asked she.

"There is nothing to fear. Everything is prospering beyond my hopes."

"And your brother?"

"He is better. But I do not think he will seriously object to the plans I have in view for these children. Indeed, I have no plans for them.

That will be for those who are to be appointed as their guardians. I hope to name these guardians. Cyprien may not agree with me, but still I think it can be arranged to suit us both."

"And are you sure that their mother and your brother did not appoint them, even after you found the torn paper on your brother's table?"

"It is impossible. If indeed there were any guardians legally appointed, that might make the work I have set myself more difficult.

Other means would have to be used."

"Ah, well! I doubt if ever you can make a nun of 'the little Jewess,'"

said Madame.

"Nothing is farther from my wish than to do that. Her sister shall be a nun and a saint, and if by any miracle of science and skill her blindness may be cured, it shall be so done, that even by that the Church shall receive honour, and her power be extended and strengthened.

Your 'little Jewess,' your 'b.u.t.terfly,' shall be allowed to s.h.i.+ne in society, and to take her fill of the pleasure she tasted last year. A few years with the good sisters first will do much for her. When she is properly submissive to those who have a right to direct her, she shall have her own way. I am not afraid."

"And her brothers: what are they to be?"