“For the moment, it is not impossible. But I shall never, while I live, give up the hope of making them and their wealth of use to the Church, and when I die others will take up the work. There is nothing impossible. They, or their children, or their children’s children—and their wealth must be ours.”
“There is only God Himself stronger than you and the Church, and these children believe Him to be on their side.”
“They are but children,” said the priest, but he frowned darkly at her words, as he turned to go away.
Madame sat still, looking after him in silence, Mr Jerome’s tidings had moved her more than she would have thought possible. She sat lost in painful thoughts till Miss Agnace came in. She felt that she could not yet meet the questioning eyes of these orphan girls.
“I am going out,” said she, rising hastily. “If any one calls, the young ladies are not to be seen.”
She went out immediately and Miss Agnace did not follow her to say to her what she had come to say.
“It will keep. Perhaps she need not be told,” said she to herself.
It seemed that Miss Agnace had not been needed in the garden, or rather the need for her was past, before she had been sent out. She met the girls returning to the house. They were very quiet but there was some restrained excitement in their manners, as she remembered afterwards. They went to their own room, where she had supposed they both remained till she went to tell them that luncheon was served. But only Selina was there. Frederica had gone to see their sister Caroline, she told Miss Agnace.
“But my dear, should she not have asked permission, or at least have said that she was going, or have taken the carriage. It is not well that a young lady should go out alone, and she is not strong.”
“Of whom should she ask permission?” said Selina coldly.