And Bruno rose hastily, as if he wished to dismiss the subject. Margaret dropped on her knees and requested his blessing, which he gave as though his thoughts were far away: and then he left the room slowly, gazing on Belasez to the last.
This was the first, but not by any means the last, interview between Father Bruno and the Jewish maiden. A month later, Doucebelle asked Belasez how she liked him.
“I do not like him; I love him,” said Belasez, with more warmth than usual.
“What a confession!” answered Doucebelle, playfully.
“Oh, not that sort of love!” responded Belasez with a tinge of scorn. “I think it must be the sort that we can take into Heaven with us.”
The next morning, Levina announced to the Countess, in a tone of gratified spite, that two persons were in the hall—an old man, unknown to her, and the young Jew, Delecresse. He had come for his sister.
Belasez received the news of her recall at first with a look of blank dismay, and then with a shower of passionate tears. Her deep attachment to her Christian friends was most manifest. She kissed the hand of the Countess and Margaret, warmly embraced Doucebelle, and then looked round as if something were wanting still.
“What is it, my maid?” kindly asked the Countess.
“Father Bruno!” faltered Belasez through her tears. “Oh, I must say farewell to Father Bruno!”
The Countess looked astonished, for she knew not that Bruno and Belasez had ever met. A few words from Doucebelle explained. Still the Countess was extremely dissatisfied.